Preferred Label : Wernicke encephalopathy;
Definition : An acute neurological disorder characterized by the triad of ophthalmoplegia, ataxia,
and disturbances of mental activity or consciousness. Eye movement abnormalities include
nystagmus, external rectus palsies, and reduced conjugate gaze. thiamine deficiency
and chronic alcoholism are associated conditions. Pathologic features include periventricular
petechial hemorrhages and neuropil breakdown in the diencephalon and brainstem. Chronic
thiamine deficiency may lead to korsakoff syndrome. (Adams et al., Principles of Neurology,
6th ed, pp1139-42; Davis & Robertson, Textbook of Neuropathology, 2nd ed, pp452-3)
[MeSH];
UMLS CUI (RADLEX) : C0043121;
Origin ID : RID5065;
UMLS CUI : C0043121;
Currated CISMeF NLP mapping
See also inter- (CISMeF)
Semantic type(s)
UMLS correspondences (same concept)
An acute neurological disorder characterized by the triad of ophthalmoplegia, ataxia,
and disturbances of mental activity or consciousness. Eye movement abnormalities include
nystagmus, external rectus palsies, and reduced conjugate gaze. thiamine deficiency
and chronic alcoholism are associated conditions. Pathologic features include periventricular
petechial hemorrhages and neuropil breakdown in the diencephalon and brainstem. Chronic
thiamine deficiency may lead to korsakoff syndrome. (Adams et al., Principles of Neurology,
6th ed, pp1139-42; Davis & Robertson, Textbook of Neuropathology, 2nd ed, pp452-3)
[MeSH]