Why does thiamine deficiency cause neurological dysfunction by disrupting the citric acid cycle?

💡 Explanation

Thiamine is a precursor to thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP), an essential cofactor for alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase, a key enzyme in the citric acid cycle. Because thiamine deficiency impairs the activity of this enzyme, the citric acid cycle is disrupted, leading to decreased ATP production and neurological dysfunction, rather than the alternative neurotransmitter-related effects.

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