Concise review of current concepts on nomenclature and pathophysiology of hepatic encephalopathy

Hepatic encephalopathy is a neuropsychiatric complication of liver cirrhosis the symptoms of which may vary from imperceptible to severe, invaliding, and even lethal. Minimal hepatic encephalopathy is also important because of its tendency to impair patients’ cognitive functions and quality of life....

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Ilona Savlan, Valentina Liakina, Jonas Valantinas
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2014-01-01
Series:Medicina
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1010660X14000251
Description
Summary:Hepatic encephalopathy is a neuropsychiatric complication of liver cirrhosis the symptoms of which may vary from imperceptible to severe, invaliding, and even lethal. Minimal hepatic encephalopathy is also important because of its tendency to impair patients’ cognitive functions and quality of life. The polyetiological pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy is intensively studied. A general consensus exists that not only excess of ammonia but also inflammatory, oxidative, and other processes are significant in the development of hepatic encephalopathy.
ISSN:1010-660X