Which vitamin can be used to prevent Wernicke's encephalopathy?

• A. Vitamin B1
• B. Vitamin B2
• C. Vitamin B6
• D. Vitamin B12

Answer: (A)

Thiamine (vitamin B1) is the nutrient that prevents Wernicke's encephalopathy. This condition stems from thiamine deficiency, which disrupts brain energy production because thiamine is a crucial cofactor for enzymes in glucose metabolism (such as pyruvate dehydrogenase and α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase). In at‑risk individuals—like those with chronic alcohol use or malnutrition—thiamine stores can deplete quickly, leading to acute neurological symptoms. Providing thiamine promptly helps maintain brain energy supply and can stop progression toward Wernicke’s; in clinical practice, it’s often given before carbohydrates to avoid precipitating or worsening the defect. The other B vitamins (riboflavin, pyridoxine, cobalamin) support different metabolic and neurological roles and do not prevent Wernicke’s encephalopathy.