<prompt> Wernicke encephalopathy is due to deficiency of:ThiamineBiotinNiacinHydroxycobalamin  <response>: Ans. A Thiamine The active form of thiamine Vitamin B1 is thiamine pyrophosphate which is formed by the transfer of a pyrophosphate group from adenosine triphosphate ATP to thiamine. Thiamine deficiency is diagnosed by an increase in erythrocyte transketolase activity observed on addition of TPP Deficiency of thiamine leads to: Beriberi: A severe thiamine deficiency syndrome occurs due to intake of polished rice. Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome: Associated with chronic alcoholism, which occurs due to dietary insufficiency or impaired dietary absorption of the vitamin. In some alcoholics there is development of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, a thiamine deficiency syndrome characterized by confusion, ataxia and nystagmus with Wernickes encephalopathy as well as memory problems, hallucination and dementia. 