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1)A chronic alcoholic develops severe memory loss with marked confabulation. Deficiency of which of the following
vitamins would be most likely to contribute to the neurologic damage underlying these symptoms?


A. Folic acid

B. Niacin

C. Riboflavin

D. Thiamine

E. Vitamin B12

thiamine

yes
The correct answer is D. Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome refers to the constellation of neurologic symptoms
caused by thiamine deficiency. Among these, a severe memory deficit, which the patient may attempt to cover
by making up bizarre explanations (confabulation), is prominent. Anatomical damage to the mamillary bodies
and periventricular structures has been postulated as the cause. In the U.S., severe thiamine deficiency is seen
most commonly in chronic alcoholics. Thiamine deficiency can also damage peripheral nerves ("dry" beriberi)
and the heart ("wet" beriberi).