Vitamin Deficiency and Spinal Cord Degeneration
Sub-acute combined degeneration of the spinal cord is a neurological condition primarily associated with the lack of a specific vitamin.
Identifying the Causative Vitamin
The deficiency that leads to sub-acute combined degeneration of the spinal cord is specifically linked to:
- Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin): This vitamin is crucial for maintaining the health of nerve cells, including those in the spinal cord. It plays a vital role in the formation of myelin, the protective sheath around nerves. A deficiency disrupts this process, leading to nerve damage.
Explanation of the Condition
When Vitamin B12 levels are low, the synthesis of myelin is impaired. This results in:
- Demyelination: The breakdown of the myelin sheath in the spinal cord.
- Degeneration: Progressive damage to the spinal cord tissues.
This process affects both sensory and motor pathways, leading to characteristic symptoms like numbness, tingling, gait problems, and weakness.
Other B Vitamins
While other B vitamins (like B1, B3, B6) are essential for overall health and neurological function, a deficiency in Vitamin B12 is the direct cause of sub-acute combined degeneration.
Conclusion: The deficiency leading to sub-acute combined degeneration of the spinal cord is Vitamin B12.
Important Questions from Vitamin B Complex Deficiency
Consider the following statements regarding Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome :
1. It is a rare complication of chronic alcohol misuse characterised by opthalmoplegia, ataxia and delirium.
2. There is damage to the mammillary bodies and dorsomedial nuclei of thalamus.
3. The underlying cause is deficiency of Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin).
4. The syndrome can also arise due to malabsorption or protracted vomiting.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
A 35 year old man with history of alcoholism presents with ophthalmoplegia, ataxia and global confusion. The treatment of choice for this patient is:
- The classical features of Wernicke's encephalopathy are the following except:
- Vitamin B$_{12}$ deficiency can cause the following except:
- Which one of the following pairs is not correctly matched?
