Thiamine deficiency: Beriberi and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome

Medicine history tells us that some years ago, before vitamine B1, also called thiamine, were described, it was already known a disease in a group of Japanese sailors. That disease caused damage in the nervous and cardiovascular systems and was known with the name of beriberi. The objective of this study is to remember the vitamine B1function in our metabolism, its importance and requirements as well as to know the consequences derived from its deficiency, signs, symptoms and medical profiles appearing because of thiamine deficiency; its features are varied, and include neurological, cardiovascular, and psychiatric disorders. They can even lead patients to death.