ALCOHOLIC PELLAGRA-ENCEPHALOPATHY - AN UN DERESTIMATED TREATABLE ENTITY

Alcoholic pellagra-encephalopathy is an underestimated entity, which i s characterized by alteration in the level and content of consciousnes s, marked oppositional hypertonus and myoclonus. This entity should be included in the differential diagnosis of encephalopathy in ethanol a busers. The spontaneous course is potentially lethal. Therapy consists of substitution of nicotinic acid in the form of nico-tinamide. It is emphasized that any chronic ethanol abuser with neurological symptoms should receive substitution of all B-group vitamins including nicotin amide,