Hepatocerebral degeneration

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Hepatocerebral degeneration

Hepatocerebral degeneration is a brain disorder caused by liver damage. It is usually a chronic conditionand may lead to irreversible neurological symptoms.

Liver damage can lead to the accumulation of ammonia and other toxic materials when the organ doesn't function properly to metabolize and excrete them. These chemicals can destroy brain tissue, leading to coma and potentially death. Specific brain areas, such as the basal ganglia, appear to be more susceptible to injury caused by liver failure. Since the basal ganglia are involved in the regulation of movement, people affected by this disorder may develop tremors, twitching, involuntary movements and other neurologic symptoms.

Hepatocerebral degeneration and the neurological syndrome it causes may occur in any case of acquired liver failure including hepatitis.

Wijdicks EF, Wiesner RH. Acquired (non-Wilsonian) hepatocerebral degeneration: complex management decisions. Liver Transpl. 2003 Sep;9(9):993-4.

Burkhard PR, Delavelle J, Du Pasquier R, Spahr L. Chronic parkinsonism associated with cirrhosis: a distinct subset of acquired hepatocerebral degeneration. Arch Neurol. 2003 Apr;60(4):521-8.

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