System: Forensic Pathology: Brain: : Cerebellar atrophy
Case 1, image 1: This 44 year old woman died as a result of a subdural hematoma due to a blunt head injury. She was known to be a heavy alcohol abuser and had a history of frequent falls.
Case 1, image 2: There are barely any Purkinje cells.
Case 1, image 3: There are increased number of glial cells in the granular layer (Bergmann gliosis)
Wernicke's encephalopathy, caused by thiamine (B1) deficiency, manifests as mental status changes, ocular disturbances and unsteady gait. The cerebellum is thought to be particularly sensitive to thiamine deficiency. These changes may develop in alcoholics who drink to the exclusion of eating food.