Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Hepatic Encephalopathy

Hepatic Encephalopathy

DefinitionHepatic encephalopathy is a reversible neurologic syndrome that results from advanced liver dysfunction or portosystemic shunting. It leads to disturbances in cognition, behavior, and motor function due to the brain’s exposure to gut-derived toxins that the liver fails to detoxify.EtiologyThis condition develops either in the setting of acute fulminant hepatitis or progressively during chronic liver disease, such as cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Portosystemic shunting—including...

Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test

Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test

In clinical practice, the direct measurement of hepatic blood flow to evaluate liver function presents significant challenges due to the intricate and specialized nature of the necessary techniques. Consequently, healthcare professionals often rely on empirical estimates derived from thorough patient examinations and liver function tests to gauge liver health. Among the tools at their disposal, the Child–Pugh and MELD scoring systems stand out for their ability to categorize and assess the...

Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology

Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology

Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma caused by direct viral invasion or immune-mediated mechanisms triggered by infections or tumors. Both processes lead to neuronal injury, disrupted neurotransmission, and diverse neurological symptoms, often with overlapping clinical and pathological features.Autoimmune EncephalitisIn autoimmune encephalitis, antibodies target neuronal antigens on cell surfaces, synapses, or within neurons. A key example is anti-NMDAR encephalitis, which can...

Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology

Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology

Vasogenic edema is a major form of cerebral edema characterized by abnormal accumulation of fluid in the brain’s extracellular space due to disruption of the blood–brain barrier (BBB). The BBB is a specialized structure composed of endothelial cells connected by tight junctions, supported by astrocytic endfeet and a basement membrane. Under normal conditions, it tightly regulates the movement of ions, proteins, and solutes between the bloodstream and brain parenchyma. When this barrier loses...

Esophageal Varices-II: Clinical Features and Management

Esophageal Varices-II: Clinical Features and Management

Esophageal varices often manifest as gastrointestinal bleeding episodes, presenting symptoms like hematemesis (vomiting of blood), hematochezia (passing fresh blood via the rectum), and melena (black, tarry stools). Other signs can include weight loss, anorexia, abdominal discomfort, jaundice, pruritus, altered mental status, and muscle cramps.
In the initial assessment, a thorough review of the patient's medical history is vital to identify risk factors such as liver disease, alcohol abuse, or...

Hepatic Drug Excretion: Influencing Factors

Hepatic Drug Excretion: Influencing Factors

The biliary system of the liver, crucial for bile secretion and drug excretion, comprises intrahepatic bile ducts that merge to form the common hepatic duct. This duct, carrying hepatic bile, combines with the cystic duct, draining the gallbladder and forming the common bile duct, which empties into the duodenum. Bile, produced by hepatic cells lining the bile canaliculi, is composed primarily of water, bile salts, pigments, electrolytes, and lesser amounts of cholesterol and fatty acids. Bile...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Nomenclature and definition of hepatic encephalopathy - An update.

Clinical liver disease·2019

Same author

Understanding the impact of neurologic complications in patients with cirrhosis.

SAGE open medicine·2019

Same author

Rifaximin has the potential to prevent complications of cirrhosis.

Therapeutic advances in gastroenterology·2018

Same author

Practical Issues in the Management of Overt Hepatic Encephalopathy.

Gastroenterology & hepatology·2017

Same author

A New Look at Precipitants of Overt Hepatic Encephalopathy in Cirrhosis.

Digestive diseases and sciences·2017

Same author

Hepatic Encephalopathy Is Associated with Persistent Learning Impairments Despite Adequate Medical Treatment: A Multicenter, International Study.

Digestive diseases and sciences·2017

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 25, 2026

Lipidomics and Transcriptomics in Neurological Diseases

Lipidomics and Transcriptomics in Neurological Diseases

Published on: March 18, 2022

New perspectives in hepatic encephalopathy.

Kevin D Mullen¹, Ravi K Prakash

¹Division of Gastroenterology, MetroHealth Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, 2500 MetroHealth Drive, Cleveland, OH 44109, USA. kevin.mullen@case.edu

Clinics in Liver Disease

|February 11, 2012

Summary

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) terminology was confusing until a 1998 consensus definition standardized diagnosis. This improved understanding and spurred significant research in HE.

More Related Videos

Modeling Posthemorrhagic Hydrocephalus of Prematurity in Rats

Modeling Posthemorrhagic Hydrocephalus of Prematurity in Rats

Published on: March 28, 2025

Real-Time Dynamic Collection of Hippocampal Extracellular Fluid from Conscious Rats Using a Microdialysis System

Real-Time Dynamic Collection of Hippocampal Extracellular Fluid from Conscious Rats Using a Microdialysis System

Published on: October 21, 2022

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 25, 2026

Lipidomics and Transcriptomics in Neurological Diseases

Lipidomics and Transcriptomics in Neurological Diseases

Published on: March 18, 2022

Modeling Posthemorrhagic Hydrocephalus of Prematurity in Rats

Modeling Posthemorrhagic Hydrocephalus of Prematurity in Rats

Published on: March 28, 2025

Real-Time Dynamic Collection of Hippocampal Extracellular Fluid from Conscious Rats Using a Microdialysis System

Real-Time Dynamic Collection of Hippocampal Extracellular Fluid from Conscious Rats Using a Microdialysis System

Published on: October 21, 2022

Area of Science:

Hepatology
Neurology
Gastroenterology

Background:

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) terminology lacked clear definitions for decades.
Distinguishing acute versus chronic HE was particularly problematic, causing diagnostic confusion.
Previous definitions varied widely, hindering consistent research and clinical practice.

Purpose of the Study:

To address the long-standing ambiguity in hepatic encephalopathy (HE) terminology.
To introduce a standardized definition for HE to facilitate research and clinical application.
To analyze the impact of a new definition on the field of HE research.

Main Methods:

Review of historical definitions and diagnostic challenges in hepatic encephalopathy (HE).
Analysis of the 1998 Hepatic Encephalopathy Consensus Group report and its proposed multi-axial definition.
Assessment of the subsequent impact on HE research and diagnostic standardization.

Main Results:

A 1998 consensus definition provided a standardized, multi-axial approach to diagnosing HE.
This standardization resolved decades of terminological confusion surrounding HE.
The new definition led to a significant increase in HE research.

Conclusions:

The 1998 Hepatic Encephalopathy Consensus definition was pivotal in standardizing HE diagnosis.
Standardized terminology has accelerated research and improved clinical understanding of HE.
Clear definitions are crucial for advancing medical research in complex conditions like HE.