Incidence and clinical characteristics of adverse neurological events and stroke-like syndrome associated with immune stress-related response after COVID-19 vaccination in 2021 from Thailand.

OBJECTIVES: AEFIs (adverse events following immunizations), especially ISRR ( immune stress related response) which can cause stroke-like symptoms may affect the vaccine roll-out campaign to prevent the coronavirus 2019 outbreak. METHODS: This study aimed to describe the incidence and clinical characteristics of neurological AEFIs and stroke-like symptoms associated with ISRR after COVID-19 vaccination. Characteristics of ISRR were compared to minor ischemic stroke patients during the same period of the study. During March to September 2021, we retrospectively collected data of participants aged ≥ 18 years who received COVID-19 vaccine and developed AEFIs from Thammasat university vaccination center (TUVC). Data of neurological AEFIs patients and minor ischemic stroke patients were collected from hospital electronic medical record system. RESULTS: COVID-19 vaccine were administered at TUVC for 245,799 doses. AEFIs were reported in 129,652 instances (52.6%). ChADOx-1 nCoV-19 viral vector vaccine has the most frequent occurrence of AEFIs (58.0%), and neurological AEFIs (12.6%). 83% of neurological AEFI was headache. Most were mild and did not need medical attention. Of 119 patients who received COVID-19 vaccine from anywhere with neurological AEFIs and presented to TUH, ISRR was diagnosed in 107 patients (89.9%) and all patients who has follow-up data (30.8%) showed clinical improvement. In comparison with minor ischemic stroke (116 patients), ISRR patients had significantly less ataxia, facial weakness, weakness of arm/leg and speech disturbances (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The incidence of neurological AEFIs after COVID-19 vaccination was higher among recipients of ChAdOx-1 nCoV-19 vaccine (12.6%) than inactivated vaccine (6.2%) and mRNA vaccine (7.5%). However, most neurological AEFIs were ISRR, had mild severity and resolved within 30 days. Stroke-like symptoms occurred less frequently than patients with minor ischemic stroke.

The differences in clinical characteristics and natural history between essential tremor and essential tremor plus.

The diverse clinical manifestation of essential tremor (ET) has led to the question whether the different phenotypes may affect the clinical outcome and progression. This study aimed to estimate the clinical characteristics and natural history of ET and ET-plus. A total of 221 patients with ET were included, 117 (52.9%) reclassified as ET and 104 (47.1%) as ET-plus. Patients with ET-plus were significantly older in age at onset (P < 0.001); had a higher frequency of cranial tremors (P < 0.001), neurological comorbidities (P < 0.001) and psychiatric comorbidities (P = 0.025); more tremor progression (P < 0.001); and poorer response to medical treatment (P < 0.001) compared to ET patients. Regression analysis revealed that late-onset tremor (OR 11.02, 95% CI 2.79-43.53), neurological comorbidities (OR 3.38, 95% CI 1.56-7.31), psychiatric comorbidities (OR 4.29, 95% CI 1.48-12.44), cranial tremors (OR 2.10, 95% CI 1.02-4.30), and poor response to medical treatment (OR 3.67, 95% CI 1.87-7.19) were associated with ET-plus diagnosis. ET and ET-plus differ in the age of onset, tremor distribution, comorbidities, treatment response rate, and progression. Identifying the ET phenotypes may increase the clinical value in therapeutic strategies and clinical research in the future.

Current concepts in the management of diabetic polyneuropathy.

Diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy (DSPN) is encountered in approximately one-third of people with diabetes. This, in turn, might markedly impoverish their quality of life, mainly owing to neuropathic pain and foot ulcerations. Painful DSPN might be as frequent as 25% in diabetes patients. Symptoms as a result of DSPN typically comprise pain, paresthesia and numbness in the distal lower limbs. Asymptomatic DSPN might reach 50% among patients with this condition. Unfortunately, DSPN is still not adequately diagnosed and treated. Its management has three priorities: (i) lifestyle improvement, near-normoglycemia and multifactorial cardiovascular risk intervention; (ii) pathogenesis-oriented pharmacotherapy; and (iii) symptomatic alleviation of pain. Intensive diabetes therapy showed evidence for favorable effects on the incidence and deterioration of DSPN in type 1 diabetes, but not type 2 diabetes. Among pathogenesis-oriented treatments, α-lipoic acid, actovegin, benfotiamine and epalrestat are currently authorized to treat DSPN in several countries. Symptomatic therapy uses analgesics, notably antidepressants, opioids and anticonvulsants, reducing pain by ≥50% in approximately 50% of individuals, but might be limited, particularly by central nervous system-related adverse events. Local treatment with the capsaicin 8% patch might offer an alternative. In addition to pain relief, therapy should improve sleep, mobility and quality of life. In conclusion, multimodal treatment of DSPN should consider the individual risk profile, pathogenetic treatment and pain management using pharmacotherapy (combinations, if required), as well as non-pharmacological options.

0.075% capsaicin lotion for the treatment of painful diabetic neuropathy: A randomized, double-blind, crossover, placebo-controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: A randomized, double-blinded, crossover, placebo controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of 0.075% capsaicin lotion for treating painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN). PATIENTS AND METHODS: PDN subjects were randomized to receive 0.075% capsaicin/placebo for 8 weeks, then crossing over to the other treatment after a 4-weeks washout period. Primary endpoint was the change in visual analog scale score of pain severity. Secondary outcomes were score changes in Neuropathic Pain Scale, short-form McGill Pain Questionnaires, and proportions of patients with pain score reductions of 30% and 50%, and adverse events. RESULTS: A total of 42 subjects were enrolled, 27 completed at least an 8-week treatment period. Intention-to-treat analysis showed no significant improvement in pain control with capsaicin lotion compared with placebo for all pain measures and proportion of patients who had 30% or 50% pain relief, respectively. Per protocol analysis were consistent. Capsaicin lotion was well tolerated but local skin reactions were common. CONCLUSION: In patients with PDN, the efficacy of 0.075% capsaicin lotion was similar to placebo but was well tolerated. More work is needed to assess different capsaicin formulations.

Outcome of Guillain-Barré Syndrome in Tertiary Care Centers in Thailand.

BACKGROUND: Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), a common acute polyneuropathy, is seen worldwide with significant morbidity and mortality. GBS consists of a number of subtypes. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to identify clinical characteristics, electrophysiologic changes, clinical course, treatment, and outcome of GBS in Thailand. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study of GBS patients aged 15 years or older, admitted to Thammasat University Hospital and Bangkok Hospital Medical Center between January 1, 2009 and November 30, 2014. RESULTS: Thirty patients were found. Demographic characteristics were collected and described as follows; 60% male sex; average age 54 years; Asian 60%, European 20%, and others 10%. Disease subtypes consist of acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy 66.7%, acute motor axonal neuropathy 10%, and others 23.3%. Average GBS disability score at admission was 2.9. Immunotherapy was intravenous immunoglobulin 83.3%, plasma exchange 3.3%, and steroid 3.3%. Average length of stay was 14.2 days; assisted ventilation rate was 13.3%. After the average of 1-year follow-up, average GBS disability score was 1.8, good outcome (score <3) was 63.3% and no death. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that most GBS patients in Thailand are acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (AIDP) subtype and have a good outcome. Predictors of severe disability are older age, previous diarrhea, autonomic disturbances, severe limb or bulbar weakness at admission, or onset of treatment.

A comparative crossover study on the treatment of hemifacial spasm and blepharospasm: preseptal and pretarsal botulinum toxin injection techniques.

Hemifacial spasm (HFS) and benign essential blepharospasm (BEB) are chronic and disabling abnormal craniofacial movements that produce involuntary eyelid twitching and closure. The efficacy and safety of botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) injections have been accepted and widely used for the treatment of HFS and BEB. However, different injection sites may influence the effectiveness, doses, and side effects. The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy, patient satisfaction, and complications of low-dose BoNT-A injections between injection at the preseptal (PS) and the pretarsal (PT) portion of the orbicularis oculi muscle. A total of 40 patients, 31 patients with HFS and 9 patients with BEB, participated in this study. Each patient received both PS and PT BoNT-A injections in a crossover design study. Latency to response, duration of improvement, the Jankovic Rating Scale (JRS), self-response scale, patient satisfaction scale, and complications were compared. Low-dose injections of BoNT-A at the PT portion produced a significantly higher response rate in terms of latency to response, duration of improvement, JRS, self-response scale, and patient satisfaction scale than the PS injections. Major side effects including ptosis and droopy eyelid were observed only after the PS injections. These findings confirmed that low-dose injections of BoNT-A at the PT portion provide more efficacy, patient satisfaction, and fewer complications than the PS injections for the treatment of involuntary eyelid twitching and closure in patients with HFS and BEB.

Natural course and predictors of severe disability and death in Thai patients with dementia.

More than half of patients with dementia lived in countries with low and middle incomes. However, there have been few studies on the natural course of disease in these countries. The purpose of this study was to study the natural course and the predictive factors of advanced stage and death in Thai patients with dementia. Patients with dementia who were treated in neurologic and psychiatric clinic from September 2004 to February 2016, were included. Data about natural course of diseases, behavioral and psychological symptoms in dementia (BPSD) and complications were studied. 207 patients were included. Mean age was 77years old. Mean Thai Mental State Examination (TMSE) was 17.5. Alzheimer's disease was the most common cause of dementia (55%). With the mean follow-up of 39months (range from 2 to 126months), 64% of the patients had BPSD. Sixty-two patients (30%) had complications required admission. Seven patients died. Fifty-four patients (29%) ended in the advanced stage of dementia. Mean duration from diagnosis to the advanced stage was 49months. Complications that required admission usually occurred in moderate to severe dementia and were strongly associated with the advanced stage or death (OR 6.1, 95%CI 2.57-14.49, p-value<0.0001). Alzheimer's disease was the most common cause of dementia in the study. Most demented patients presented in moderate severity of dementia. Mean duration from diagnosis to the advanced stage of dementia was approximate 4-5years. Complications required admissions related to the progression to advanced stage or death.

Clinical, electrodiagnostic, and outcome correlation in ALS patients in Thailand.

INTRODUCTION: The diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) requires both clinical and electrodiagnostic (EDx) data. The correlation between the two may aid in outcome prognostication. METHODS: Retrospective review of patients with ALS in tow tertiary hospitals in Thailand. RESULTS: Data from 25 ALS patients out of 38 patients with motor neuron disease was reviewed. Male was predominant with mean age of onset of 60.1±10.7years old. The average time from onset to diagnosis was 19.8±21.5months. Upper limb onset was the most common. Nerve conduction study showed lower median and ulnar compound muscle action potential amplitudes than tibial and peroneal ones. Electromyography (EMG) showed 40% of patients have EMG abnormalities in asymptomatic limbs. Neurophysiological evidence of "split hand" was frequent in upper limb phenotype. Sensory studies were abnormal in 16.3%. Most patients were classified in mRS 1 and 2 (73.9%) at the time of diagnosis which was statistically significant among subgroups. Bulbar and distal upper limb subtypes had a better prognosis. 5.4% of patients used mechanical ventilator; all in bulbar subgroup. CONCLUSION: In our ALS patients, upper limb onset was the most common. Time of presentation varied among phenotypes. Extensive EDx can contribute to early diagnosis in asymptomatic limb and improve diagnostic certainty. Abnormal sensory study was also common. EDx data clearly correlates with clinical phenomena and prognosis. At the time of diagnosis, ALSFRS was in moderate range and most patients had moderate disability.

Isaacs' syndrome in a patient with dermatomyositis: case report and review of the literature.

This is a case report of Isaacs' syndrome in dermatomyositis. The patient presented with proximal muscle weakness, rash, elevated muscle enzyme, myopathic electromyograph and typical muscle biopsy. Ultimately he developed typical symptoms of Isaacs' syndrome which is an autoimmune channelopathy from voltage gated potassium channel antibody (anti-VGKC) leading to dysfunction of axonal discharge at neuromuscular junctions. It shares some similar characteristics with dermatomyositis such as autoimmunity, its association with malignancy and the response to treatment.

Trinucleotide repeat expansion of TATA-binding protein gene associated with Parkinson's disease: A Thai multicenter study.

INTRODUCTION: Spinocerebellar ataxia type 17 (SCA17) is an inherited cerebellar degeneration associated with trinucleotide repeat expansions in the TATA-binding protein gene (TBP). Low-range expansions of TBP have recently been described in association with Parkinson's disease (PD). However, these low-range expansion alleles were also observed in healthy individuals. Prior distinct findings may result from reduced penetrance or age-dependent susceptibility, which may influence phenotypic expression. METHODS: A case-control study of 456 PD patients and 374 control subjects was conducted. Data and blood samples were collected during 2008-2013. Control subjects were individuals over 65 years old without parkinsonism. Sizes of TBP trinucleotide repeats were analyzed. All available carriers of the TBP repeat of ≥40 repeats were re-examined. RESULTS: A high prevalence of carriers of TBP repeat expansion ≥41 developed PD, mainly at an advanced age. Half of these carriers had onset after 70 years of age (range 34-84). Seven participants carried expansion alleles of ≥42, and all had PD. Fourteen participants (six patients and eight controls) carried a heterozygous 41-repeat allele. At the current mean age of 79 years and mean follow-up period of 4 years, three out of the eight control carriers of the 41-repeat allele developed PD, while none of the thirteen asymptomatic carriers of the 40-repeat allele did. CONCLUSIONS: A high prevalence of PD was observed in carriers of low-range expansions of TBP (41-45 repeats), especially in elderly. This finding suggests that cut-off value for pathological TBP repeat expansion appear to be 41.

Associations between HLA class I and cytochrome P450 2C9 genetic polymorphisms and phenytoin-related severe cutaneous adverse reactions in a Thai population.

BACKGROUND: Phenytoin is one of the most common causative drugs of several types of severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCAR) such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and drug reactions with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS). Genetic polymorphisms of the human leukocyte antigens (HLA) and cytochromes P450 (CYP) have been proposed as key elements for the susceptibility to phenytoin-related SCAR in certain ethnicities. This study investigated the associations between the genetic polymorphisms of HLA class I and CYP2C9 and phenytoin-related SCAR in a Thai population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty phenytoin-related SCAR (i.e. 39 SJS/TEN and 21 DRESS) and 92 phenytoin-tolerant patients were enrolled in the study. The genotypes of HLA class I and CYP2C9 were determined. RESULTS: Six HLA alleles including HLA-A*33:03, HLA-B*38:02, HLA-B*51:01, HLA-B*56:02, HLA-B*58:01, and HLA-C*14:02 were significantly associated with phenytoin-related SJS/TEN, whereas only the HLA-B*51:01 was significantly associated with phenytoin-related DRESS. The odds ratios of phenytoin-related SJS/TEN in the patients who carried one of these alleles ranged from 4- to 10-fold. The frequencies of patients who carried the HLA-B*15:02 in the SJS/TEN (12.82%) or the DRESS (9.52%) groups were not significantly different from that of the controls (14.13%). The higher risk of phenytoin-related SJS/TEN was observed in the patients with CYP2C9*3 (odds ratio=4.30, 95% confidence interval=1.41-13.09, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Neither SJS/TEN nor DRESS caused by phenytoin was significantly associated with the HLA-B*15:02. The CYP2C9*3 variant was significantly associated with phenytoin-related SJS/TEN, but not DRESS. Certain alleles of HLA, particularly HLA-B*56:02, were significantly associated with phenytoin-related SCAR in the study population.

Association between serum uric acid and motor subtypes of Parkinson's disease.

The aim of this study was to evaluate serum uric acid (UA) levels and serum uric acid/creatinine ratios (UA/Cr) in patients with non-tremor dominant (NTD) Parkinson's disease (PD) compared to tremor dominant (TD) PD and healthy controls (HC). UA is believed to have a protective effect on the central nervous system against oxidative damage and neuronal cell death which could impact on progression and motor subtypes of PD. Serum UA levels and UA/Cr were determined in 100 PD patients and 100 age and sex matched HC. Subtypes of PD were classified into TD and NTD. Patients with PD showed statistically significantly lower serum UA (p=0.007) and serum UA/Cr ratios (p<0.001) than HC. Patients with NTD PD had statistically significantly lower serum UA (p<0.001) and serum UA/Cr (p=0.001) than in patients with TD PD. Patients with mild PD severity also had significantly higher serum UA (p=0.015) and serum UA/Cr (p=0.004) than patients with moderate to severe disease. Our study suggests that UA has a pathogenic role in the clinical subtype of PD. Serum UA levels together with serum UA/Cr are potentially useful biomarkers to indicate risk, severity and motor subtype of PD.

Pyridoxine-induced sensory ataxic neuronopathy and neuropathy: revisited.

High dose pyridoxine is neurotoxic. Previous case reports were sparse and little is known about the clinical and electrodiagnostic findings. Three patients with pyridoxine-induced sensory ataxic neuropathy were studied and a review of the involved literature was performed. Three patients, aged 80, 83 and 83 years old, presented with sensory ataxia for 3-8 months. Examination showed signs of polyneuropathy and sensory ataxia. Six hundred milligrams of pyridoxine was consumed each day for 3-10 years, in the form of vitamin B1-6-12 combination tablet. Investigations for other causes of neuropathy were unremarkable. Blood levels of vitamin B6 were markedly elevated at 104.6, 81.4 and 66.9 times of upper normal limits. Electrodiagnostic tests showed symmetric axonal sensory polyneuropathy in two patients. Two years after vitamin discontinuation, all patients showed no significant improvement in the neuropathy and gait. In conclusion, consumption of high dose pyridoxine can cause sensory neuronopathy and axonal sensorimotor polyneuropathy, leading to sensory ataxia which may not be reversible.

Confirmation of the association between LRRK2 R1628P variant and susceptibility to Parkinson's disease in the Thai population.

OBJECTIVE: LRRK2 p.R1628P (c.4883G > C) is associated with Parkinson's disease (PD) in Chinese and Thais. However, some studies in other East Asian ethnic groups did not observe this association. Carriers of p.R1628P are about 3-5% Chinese and Thais. In contrast, Japanese, Koreans and Malays are much less prevalent (0-<1%). The contradictory results may be caused by insufficient sample sizes especially studies in ethnic groups with low prevalence, which, theoretically need a much larger sample size. We conducted a case-control Thai PD study with appropriate size in order to support the role of p.R1628P related to susceptibility to PD. METHODS: Estimated total sample size of 958 Thai subjects was needed. 485 PD patients and 480 controls were recruited. The p.R1628P was screened by RFLP and confirmed by direct sequencing. Clinical characteristics were compared between PD patients with and without p.R1628P. RESULTS: 54 PD patients (11%) and 29 control subjects (6%) carried p.R1628P. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that GC and CC genotypes were significantly higher in PD patients than in controls (OR = 1.81, 95%CI = 1.10-2.97). The PD patients carrying p.R1628P had earlier age at onset (56 ± 13 vs 60 ± 12; P = 0.021) and a more rapidly progressive course (P < 0.001) than the patients carrying wild-type nucleotide. CONCLUSIONS: We confirm the association between p.R1628P and risk of developing PD in the appropriated sample-sized cohort. Certain LRRK2 variants appear to be generally distributed among East Asians, however, in widely different frequencies. In order to study role of such variants in PD, it should be carefully estimated the appropriate sample size.

Glucocerebrosidase mutations in Thai patients with Parkinson's disease.

BACKGROUND: GBA mutations are an important risk factor in developing Parkinson's disease (PD) worldwide. The study aimed to determine the frequency and clinical characteristics of GBA mutations in a Thai PD cohort of 480 patients and 395 control subjects. METHODS: Direct sequencing of GBA was performed in all early-onset PD patients (EOPD: n = 108) and 100 PD patients with age at onset over 50 years (AAO > 50y-PD). The study subsequently screened all identified mutations in the remaining AAO > 50y-PD patients and all control subjects. Predictive factors associated with risk of developing PD were analyzed. Comparisons of clinical characteristics of PD patients with and without GBA mutations were also carried out. RESULTS: Heterozygous GBA mutations were identified in 24 patients (5%) and 2 controls (0.5%). Seven identified GBA point mutations comprised p.L444P, p.N386K, p.P428S, IVS2+1G > A, IVS9+3G > C, IVS10-9_10GT > AG and c.1309delG, of which five mutations were novel. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that GBA mutations were more frequent in EOPD than AAO > 50y-PD groups (OR = 4.64, P < 0.022). Patients with GBA mutations had mean age at onset (43.1 ± 10.2, mean ± standard deviation) earlier than patients without GBA mutations (54.4 ± 13.9, P = 0.002). The patients with GBA mutations also had a more rapid progressive course, in which they were more likely to have higher Hoehn and Yahr staging (OR = 4.20, P = 0.006) and slightly lower means of Schwab-England ADL score [74.1 ± 17.1 vs. 81.0 ± 18.08 (OR = 0.98, 95%CI = 0.96-1.01, P = 0.162)]. CONCLUSION: GBA mutations are an important risk of PD in the Thai population. Patients having the mutations are likely to have early onset and may exhibit more rapid motor progression.

Sensory profile and its impact on quality of life in patients with painful diabetic polyneuropathy.

CONTEXT: Painful diabetic polyneuropathy (PDN) is common and causes significant disability. The sensory profile in each patient is different and affects quality of life. AIM: To describe the demographic, details of sensory profile and its impact on quality of life in patients with PDN. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey in patients with PDN who were treated in a University Hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: They were interviewed with standard questionnaires, which included neuropathic pain scale (NPS), a short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ) and a short form-36 quality of life survey (SF-36). STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Descriptive statistics were used in demographic data. Student's t test was used to analyze continuous data. Multiple comparisons for proportions and correlations were made using Fisher Exact test and Pearson's coefficient of correlation, respectively. RESULTS: Thirty three patients were included in this study. In NPS, sharp pain was the most common symptom and itching was the least common. Almost all patients had more than one type of pain. The mean VAS was 53 mm. In SFMPQ, the sensory score, affective score and the present pain score fell in the moderate range. In SF-36, physical functioning was the most affected and social function was the least affected. CONCLUSIONS: PDN significantly affects patients' quality of life, especially physical function and role limitation due to a physical problem. Almost all patients have many types of pain and sharp pain is the most common.

Rivastigmine patch for treatment of Alzheimer's disease in clinical practice in Thailand.

BACKGROUND: Rivastigmine is a cholinesterase inhibitor for treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD) and dementia associated with Parkinson's disease. The new patch formulation was recently made available. We assessed the safety, tolerability, and cognitive outcome of rivastigmine patch in treatment of mild to moderate AD in clinical practice in Thailand. METHODS: A multicentre, hospital-based, prospective observational study was conducted in nine hospitals across Thailand. Patients with probable mild to moderate AD who received the rivastigmine patch were enrolled. Data were collected data at baseline, weeks 4-8 and after week16. RESULTS: A total of 116 AD patients were screened, and three were excluded. Of 113 patients, 62.8% were women with a mean age of 73.3 ± 9.2 years; 79.7% were newly diagnosed. One-third of all patients had been using antipsychotic or antidepressant medication. Common comorbidities were hypertension and dyslipidemia. The Thai Mental State Examination score significantly increased from 18.6 to 20.3 (weeks 4-8) and 20.4 (week 16+) (P < 0.001). Scores based on physicians' (Clinical Global Impression) and caregivers' (Patients' Caregiver Global Impression of Change) impressions of improvement suggested minimal improvement. Because of adverse events, seven patients's dosages were reduced 10 cm(2) to 5 cm(2) or from 5 cm(2) to nothing. Itching was the most common adverse symptom. CONCLUSIONS: During the first 16 weeks after initiation of rivastigmine patch therapy, patients with probable mild to moderate AD had statistically significant improvement in cognitive function, but clinically marginal benefit. Rivastigmine was safe and well tolerated.

Wernicke's encephalopathy and central pontine myelinolysis in hyperemesis gravidarum.

A pregnant woman, who had been suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum, presented with alteration of consciousness, ocular nystagmus and ataxia. Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the brain showed typical findings of Wernicke's encephalopathy and central pontine myelinolysis. The clinical features responded dramatically to thiamine supplementation.