Memory function in early hepatic encephalopathy

OCD

J Hepatol. 2003 Sep;39(3):320-5.

Weissenborn K, Heidenreich S, Giewekemeyer K, Ruckert N, Hecker H.

Neurologische Klinik, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, 30623, Hannover,
Germany

BACKGROUND: Early hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is characterized by deficits
in motor performance, visual perception, visuo-constructive abilities and
attention. Whether defective memory is a feature of early HE is
controversial.AIMS: To analyze memory function in patients with early
HE.METHODS: Memory tests were applied to cirrhotic patients with grade 0 HE,
minimal HE and grade I HE (n=45) and controls (n=52). The battery included
short and long term memory tests requiring free recall or recognition.
Minimal HE was diagnosed by assessing the psychometric hepatic
encephalopathy score using the PSE-Syndrom-Test and by carrying out a
neurological examination. Group differences of the test results were
analyzed using analysis of covariance.RESULTS: HE 0 patients achieved test
results similar to the controls in all but two tests. Patients with early HE
(minimal and grade I HE) scored lower than the controls in all tests
applied. A detailed analysis of test performance showed that the patients'
deficits were in attention and visual perception, rather than
memory.CONCLUSIONS: Patients with early HE score lower than controls in
memory tasks predominantly because of deficits in attention and visual
perception.

PMID: 12927916 [PubMed - in process]