Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry

Wernicke’s encephalopathy is a life-threatening central nervous system disease caused by thiamine deficiency. Emergent diagnosis is crucial but is frequently underdiagnosed. If Wernicke’s encephalopathy is concomitant with underlying psychiatric disorders, the progression of symptoms becomes less discernible. This can present challenges for clinicians in establishing definitive diagnoses. Frequent problematic drinking and chronic thiamine deficiency have been reported in the homeless population. Clinicians should consider the possibility of developing Wernicke’s encephalopathy in this population. This case report describes a 43-years-old homeless patient with Wernicke’s encephalopathy presented with psychiatric symptoms.

Keywords Wernicke encephalopathy; Ill-housed persons; Psychotic disorders.