Wernicke's encephalopathy is an acute neurological syndrome due to thiamine 
deficiency, which is characterized by a typical triad of mental status changes, 
oculomotor dysfunction and ataxia. Despite the fact that Wernicke's 
encephalopathy, in developed countries, is frequently associated with chronic 
alcoholism, there have been a number of published cases associating this 
encephalopathy with parenteral feeding without vitamin supplementation. 
Diagnosis is primarily a clinical one, and can be supported by laboratory tests 
and imaging studies; treatment should start as soon as possible, for the 
morbidity and mortality (almost 20%) associated with this syndrome is high. 
Thiamine supplementation, along with other vitamins, is recommended for patients 
in risk of developing this syndrome.