Search 33,000+ CME courses
Back

StatPearls, LLC

  • Ataxia
  • Hyperemesis Gravidarum
  • Korsakoff Syndrome
  • Thiamine
  • Wernicke Encephalopathy

Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome

Wernicke encephalopathy is an acute, time-sensitive neurologic disorder caused by thiamine deficiency that requires prompt recognition and treatment to prevent irreversible neurologic damage. The condition is often underdiagnosed because the classic triad of mental status changes, ataxia, and ophthalmoplegia is present in only a minority of patients. Risk factors extend beyond chronic alcohol use to include bariatric surgery, hyperemesis gravidarum, malignancy, dialysis, and critical illness. Bedside diagnostic frameworks, such as the Caine criteria, support early clinical recognition, while magnetic resonance imaging can provide supportive evidence. Negative imaging should not delay the initiation of treatment. Prompt administration of parenteral thiamine is preferred over oral supplementation during the acute phase to rapidly restore thiamine levels and prevent progression to Korsakoff syndrome or other severe neurologic sequelae. Early identification and treatment are critical to improving neurologic outcomes and reducing morbidity. Participants in this course enhance their competence in recognizing Wernicke encephalopathy across diverse clinical settings, applying practical risk assessments, and implementing guideline-directed parenteral thiamine regimens. Clinicians gain skills in interpreting diagnostic frameworks and integrating supportive imaging findings without delaying therapy. The course emphasizes collaboration with an interprofessional team, including nurses, pharmacists, dietitians, and allied health professionals, to optimize thiamine administration, monitor for complications, and ensure continuity of care. Clinicians strengthen their ability to coordinate care, apply evidence-based interventions, and improve patient safety, functional recovery, and overall outcomes in individuals affected by Wernicke encephalopathy.

Credit & MOC Details

Credit information is provided by the course provider. We recommend confirming credit eligibility with the provider or your licensing board before starting the activity.

Credit types

AAPA Category 1 Credit™Up to 1.5 creditsAMA PRA Category 1 Credit™Up to 1.5 creditsNursingUp to 1.5 creditsPharmacyUp to 1.5 credits

MOC types

ABS — Accredited CMEUp to 1.5 pointsABPATH — Lifelong LearningUp to 1.5 pointsABA — Lifelong LearningUp to 1.5 pointsABTS — Accredited CMEUp to 1.5 pointsABIM — Medical KnowledgeUp to 1.5 pointsABS — Self-AssessmentUp to 1.5 pointsABP — Lifelong Learning and Self-AssessmentUp to 1.5 pointsABTS — Self-AssessmentUp to 1.5 points

FDA REMS

No

Qualifies for MIPS

No

Target Specialties

Cross-Specialty

Relevant across 9 specialties.

Pricing

Fee varies

This provider typically $49–98

See fees on statpearls.com

Listed by the provider

  • Article / monograph / reference
  • includes Online course / module
  • Credit · Up to 1.5 credits
  • MOC · Up to 1.5 points
  • Fee varies · this provider typically $49–98
  • Released
    Sep 1, 2026
  • Last day to claim credit
    Sep 1, 2029 3 years left

Related courses

See all

Other providers’ courses on the same topic

More from StatPearls, LLC

See all

This provider’s courses closest to this one