Wernicke's Encephalopathy

Abstract

FUNCTIONAL derangement of neurological function as a complication of renal failure is a well-known, though incompletely understood, occurrence.^1-3With the exception of peripheral neuropathy,⁴structural lesions of the nervous system of a specific nature have been observed infrequently.³More recently, however, in association with the newer methods of therapy for chronic renal disease, a variety of neurological complications have arisen, some of which are associated with morphologic changes within the central nervous system. Included among these are the infections which arise presumably as a result of immunosuppressive therapy,^5-7and degenerations which may be related to nutritional deficiency.^7,8 The occurrence of central pontine myelinolysis in patients of this type has been interpreted by some as the result of a nutritional deficiency.⁸Although opinion concerning the etiologic basis for central pontine myelinolysis is divided,^9-13there is a substantial body of evidence to suggest a