Pyridoxine Deficiency and Neurologic Dysfunction: An Unlikely Association

Pyridoxine deficiency is a prevalent condition in the United States that primarily affects patients with alcohol use disorder. The presentation of this condition is very nonspecific and commonly presents with a constellation of symptoms including peripheral neuropathy, stomatitis, dermatitis, confusion, depression, encephalopathy, and seizures. Over half of these patients have associated alcohol use disorder, which causes pyridoxine deficiency due to the breakdown of pyridoxal phosphate during ethanol metabolism in the liver. As an important cofactor in the synthesis of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), deficient levels of pyridoxine may lower the seizure threshold due to reduced GABA-mediated inhibition. This case details a 57-year-old male with chronic alcoholism and a history of seizures who developed episodes of myoclonic jerks, tremors, anxiety, and neuropathy whose symptoms persisted even while on anti-epileptic medication. He was found to have pyridoxine deficiency and had full resolution of symptoms shortly after the administration of vitamin B6 supplementation. Pyridoxine deficiency may lead to severe neurologic disorders such as encephalopathy and seizures. Hence, it is important to consider pyridoxine deficiency in the workup of neurologic complaints, especially in high-risk patients.