Wernicke's encephalopathy (or
Wernicke's disease) 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 (vitamin B1). The condition is part of a larger group of diseases related to thiamine insufficiency, including
beriberi in all its forms, and
Korsakoff syndrome. When Wernicke's encephalopathy occurs simultaneously with Korsakoff syndrome it is known as
Wernicke–Korsakoff syndrome.