Definition for Wernicke's encephalopathy
From Biology Forums Dictionary
Wernicke's encephalopathy refers to the presence of neurological symptoms caused by biochemical lesions of the central nervous system after exhaustion of B-vitamin reserves, in particular thiamine, or by its difficulties in accessing the mitochondria. It is located on a spectrum of diseases related to vitamin B1, including beriberi in all its forms, and Korsakoff syndrome, whose symptoms often overlap. When Wernicke's encephalopathy occurs simultaneously with Korsakoff syndrome it is known as Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.
