Thiamine in the treatment of Wernicke encephalopathy in patients with alcohol use disorders

Abstract

Wernicke encephalopathy is an acute, reversible neuropsychiatric emergency due to thiamine deficiency. Urgent and adequate thiamine replacement is necessary to avoid death or progression to Korsakoffsyndrome with largely irreversible brain damage. Wernicke Korsakoffsyndrome refers to a condition where features of Wernicke encephalopathy are mixed with those of Korsakoffsyndrome. Although thiamine is the cornerstone of treatment ofWernicke encephalopathy, there are no universally accepted guidelines with regard to its optimal dose, mode of administration, frequency of administration or duration of treatment. Currently, different dose recommendations are being made. We present recommendations for the assessment and treatment of Wernicke encephalopathy based on literature review and our clinical experience.