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Updated: Jun 6, 2026
04:23
A Murine Model of Dengue Virus-induced Acute Viral Encephalitis-like Disease
Published on: April 28, 2019
[Encephalopathies due to vitamin deficiency]
Matti Hillbom1, Maria Marttila
1OYS:n neurologian klinikka, PL 25, 90029 OYS.
Duodecim; Laaketieteellinen Aikakauskirja
|November 16, 2010
Summary
Vitamin deficiencies, such as thiamine, folic acid, and vitamin B12, can cause encephalopathy. Misdiagnosing these deficiencies as Alzheimer's disease can be harmful, highlighting the need for careful differential diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Nutritional Science
- Internal Medicine
Context:
- Encephalopathy can arise from various vitamin deficiencies.
- Cognitive impairment may be misattributed to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.
- Identifying the underlying vitamin deficiency is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Purpose:
- To highlight the rapid onset of encephalopathy with thiamine deficiency compared to folic acid and vitamin B12 deficiencies.
- To emphasize the diagnostic challenges in differentiating vitamin deficiency-induced encephalopathy from Alzheimer's disease.
- To outline risk factors associated with vitamin deficiencies.
Summary:
- Encephalopathy develops rapidly (1-3 weeks) after thiamine cessation, over months for folic acid deficiency, and years for vitamin B12 deficiency.
- Misdiagnosis of vitamin deficiency as Alzheimer's disease can lead to detrimental patient outcomes.
- Risk factors include weight loss, surgery, and nausea during pregnancy, complicating differential diagnosis.
Impact:
- Improves diagnostic accuracy for cognitive impairment by considering vitamin deficiencies.
- Prevents harmful misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment of patients.
- Enhances clinical awareness of the neurological manifestations of vitamin deficiencies.
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