[Alcoholic pellagra encephalopathy: an underestimated treatable entity].

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