Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-dzt6s Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-22T16:29:10.279Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Erythrocyte Transketolase Activity in the Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

Summary

Erythrocyte transketolase activity and the effect of adding thiamine pyrophosphate (% TPP effect) were measured in subjects suffering from Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome both before and during treatment with thiamine and/or thiamine tetrahydrofurfuryldisulphide (TTFD). Transketolase activity was significantly lower in untreated patients than in healthy volunteers. Treatment with either thiamine or with TTFD restored enzyme levels to control values but TTFD produced a greater increase than thiamine in enzyme activity. In a group of seven patients there was no correlation between duration of TTFD therapy and either increase in erythrocyte transketolase activity or % decrease in the TPP effect. However, when three patients were followed at intervals during treatment with TTFD, their erythrocyte transketolase increased progressively. Neither thiamine nor TTFD produced clinical improvement in the mental symptoms of Wernicke-Korsakoff psychosis unless administered early in the course of the disease.

Type
Papers
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1981 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)
Submit a response

eLetters

No eLetters have been published for this article.