Thiamine deficiency is typically associated with which acute neurological condition?

• A. Wernicke's encephalopathy
• B. Korsakoff syndrome
• C. Beriberi
• D. Peripheral neuropathy

Answer: (A)

Thiamine deficiency disrupts brain energy metabolism and can cause acute CNS dysfunction. The classic acute neurological presentation is Wernicke's encephalopathy, an emergency phase marked by confusion, gait ataxia, and ophthalmoplegia (often with nystagmus). Korsakoff syndrome, by contrast, is a later, chronic condition featuring severe memory impairment and confabulation after the acute episode. Beriberi covers broader deficiency effects, including dry neuropathy and wet cardiomyopathy, while peripheral neuropathy can occur but does not represent the acute CNS syndrome. For this reason, the acute neurological condition most linked to thiamine deficiency is Wernicke's encephalopathy.