Vitamin B1 (thiamine) is used to treat beriberi (a condition caused by prolonged lack of vitamin B1). Conditions such as Crohn’s disease, anorexia, alcoholism and kidney dialysis may lead to a thiamine deficiency. Research points to the potential role of thiamine in such diseases as diabetes, heart failure, Alzheimer’s disease and depression. Together with other B vitamins, thiamine is reported in clinical research in the treatment of neurologic disorders, including neuropathic pain. Emerging scientific evidence also suggests the potential efficacy of thiamine in lowering the progression of kidney diseases in patients with type 2 diabetes.