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Brain Metabolism in Encephalopathy Caused by Hyperammonemia

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Book cover Hepatic Encephalopathy, Hyperammonemia, and Ammonia Toxicity

Part of the book series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology ((AEMB,volume 368))

Abstract

Liver failure, one of the primary causes of death around the world, may occur within days as a result of acute hepatic failure or over many years in chronic conditions such as alcoholic fatty liver or cirrhosis. When the liver fails, or when blood is shunted past the liver, hyperammonemia results and brain function deteriorates: a disorder known as hepatic encephalopathy [1–5]. This syndrome is manifest by signs that range from a rapidly developing sequence of delirium, convulsions and coma in acute hepatic necrosis to a more gradually developing intellectual impairment that may lead to stupor and coma in patients with chronic liver disease. The latter form is more prevalent and may affect millions of people to some degree [6, 7].

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Finch University of Health Sciences/The Chicago Medical School, 3333 Green Bay Road, North Chicago, IL, 60064, USA

    Richard A. Hawkins & Anke M. Mans

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  1. Richard A. Hawkins
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  1. Instituto de Investigaciones Citologicas de la F. I. B., Valencia, Spain

    Vicente Felipo  & Santiago Grisolia  & 

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Hawkins, R.A., Mans, A.M. (1994). Brain Metabolism in Encephalopathy Caused by Hyperammonemia. In: Felipo, V., Grisolia, S. (eds) Hepatic Encephalopathy, Hyperammonemia, and Ammonia Toxicity. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 368. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-1989-8_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-1989-8_2

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

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