title: Concise review of current concepts on nomenclature and pathophysiology of hepatic encephalopathy.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Centre of Hepatology, Gastroenterology and Dietetics, Clinic of Gastroenterology, Nephrourology and Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania.
authors.forename: Ilona
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Savlan
authors.affiliation: Centre of Hepatology, Gastroenterology and Dietetics, Clinic of Gastroenterology, Nephrourology and Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania; Department of Biomechanics, Faculty of Mechanics, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Vilnius, Lithuania.
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Liakina
authors.affiliation: Centre of Hepatology, Gastroenterology and Dietetics, Clinic of Gastroenterology, Nephrourology and Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania. Electronic address: valentina.liakina@santa.lt.
authors.forename: Jonas
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Valantinas
mesh_terms: D000641:Ammonia / Q000378:metabolism; D003071:Cognition; D006501:Hepatic Encephalopathy / Q000145:classification* / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications*; D008345:Manganese / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D011788:Quality of Life; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D008345:Manganese; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D000641:Ammonia
keywords: Cirrhosis; Encephalopathy; Pathogenesis