Home
Disease Vault Drug Index & Alternatives Drug Interactions Pregnancy Drug Safety Drug Recalls & Alerts OTC Navigator
Medical Bot Med Lab Clinical Cases Nutrition & Macro Calculator
Questo Insights Global Opportunities Paper Helper Citation Generator Scholarships & Travel Visa & Mobility Navigator English Assessment Test
Med Jobs Med Lounge Pharma Swap Pharmacies Directory Medical Case Donations Opportunity Crowdfunding
Courses Academy Quiz Arena Memory Palace STEM Academy Toolkits
About Us Contact Us Privacy Policy Terms of Service
Back to Memory Palace
Psychiatry Nutritional Neuropsychiatry Intermediate
554 views

Wernicke Encephalopathy Triad

C
O
A
T
Classic reversible acute triad of thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency, commonly precipitated by chronic alcoholism.

Thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP) is a critical cofactor for pyruvate dehydrogenase, alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase, and transketolase. Deficiency depletes cerebral ATP, leading to bilateral necrosis of the mammillary bodies.

Systematic Breakdown

C

Confusion / Encephalopathy

Global cognitive disorientation, inattentiveness, and apathy.

O

Ophthalmoplegia / Nystagmus

Horizontal nystagmus, bilateral lateral rectus palsy (CN VI paresis), and conjugate gaze palsies.

A

Ataxia

Trunk and gait ataxia resulting from cerebellar vermis dysfunction and vestibular paresis.

T

Thiamine Deficiency

Vitamin B1 depletion; prompt IV thiamine administration can rapidly reverse neurological deficits.

High-Yield Clinical Pearls & Exam Tips
  • Golden Rule: ALWAYS give IV Thiamine BEFORE or simultaneously with IV Dextrose! Giving glucose alone accelerates thiamine consumption in glycolysis and can precipitate irreversible Korsakoff psychosis.
  • Only about one-third of patients present with all three classical signs simultaneously; maintain a high index of suspicion.
Related Pharmaceuticals
Thiamine (Vitamin B1) Dextrose
Related Clinical Conditions
Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome Alcohol Use Disorder Hyperemesis Gravidarum
Authoritative Sources: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine 21e · First Aid USMLE Step 1

More Psychiatry Mnemonics

Psychiatry Beginner
CAGE

Alcohol Use Disorder Screening

C A G E

A 4-question screening tool with high sensitivity for detecting problematic alcohol use or dependence in outpatient settings.

DSM-5-TR 2,359
Psychiatry Intermediate
5 A's OF SCHIZOPHRENIA

Schizophrenia Negative Symptoms: 5 A's

5 A's OF SCHIZOPHRENIA

Core negative symptoms of schizophrenia that are often refractory to traditional first-generation antipsychotics.

DSM-5-TR 923
Psychiatry Beginner
DIG FAST

Bipolar Manic Episode Criteria

DIG FAST

DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for Mania requiring abnormally elevated, expansive, or irritable mood for at least 1 week.

DSM-5-TR 1,301

System Notice

Confirm Action