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Hepatic Encephalopathy

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Handbook of Medical Neuropsychology

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Abstract

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) reflects a spectrum of neuropsychiatric abnormalities seen in patients with liver dysfunction after exclusion of other known brain disease [1]. HE is primarily divided into two components: overt HE (OHE) and minimal HE (MHE). OHE is the specific type of HE that can be diagnosed clinically through a constellation of signs and symptoms while MHE cannot be diagnosed clinically. It has been estimated that OHE is present in 30–45% of patients with cirrhosis with an annual risk of development in 20% of patient with cirrhosis [2]. There is a uniformly poor survival after development of OHE. MHE is manifested by impairment in specialized testing and is considered by most to be a pre-clinical stage of OHE [1]. MHE has been diagnosed in up to 60–80% of patients with cirrhosis and is associated with increased progression to OHE, poor quality of life, and a high risk of traffic violations and accidents [3].

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Virginia Commonwealth University and McGuire VA Medical Center, Richmond, VA, 23249, USA

    Jasmohan S. Bajaj

  2. Division of Gastroenterology, MetroHealth Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, 44109, USA

    Kevin D. Mullen

  3. Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44109, USA

    Kevin D. Mullen

Authors
  1. Jasmohan S. Bajaj
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  2. Kevin D. Mullen
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Correspondence to Jasmohan S. Bajaj .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Oncology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Market Street 3535, Philadelphia, 19104, USA

    Carol L. Armstrong

  2. Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, 3811 O'Hara Street, Pittsburgh, 15213, USA

    Lisa Morrow

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Bajaj, J.S., Mullen, K.D. (2010). Hepatic Encephalopathy. In: Armstrong, C., Morrow, L. (eds) Handbook of Medical Neuropsychology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1364-7_25

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