Wernicke Encephalopathy Associated With Semaglutide Use

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Wernicke encephalopathy (WE) is a neurological disorder commonly associated with alcoholism.
• Non-alcoholic WE is a less common but significant cause of neurological dysfunction.

Observation:

• A 37-year-old male presented with acute neurological symptoms including dysphagia, slurred speech, word-finding difficulty, and restricted extraocular movements.
• These symptoms arose in the context of recent semaglutide use.

Findings:

• The patient was diagnosed with non-alcoholic Wernicke encephalopathy.
• This presentation suggests a potential association between semaglutide and the development of non-alcoholic WE.

Implications:

• This case underscores the importance of considering non-alcoholic WE in patients with neurological deficits, even without a history of alcohol abuse.
• Further investigation is warranted to explore the potential link between semaglutide and Wernicke encephalopathy.