Multimodality magnetic resonance imaging in hepatic encephalopathy: an update

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Neurology
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a complex neuropsychiatric condition.
• It is a complication of cirrhosis or acute liver failure.
• HE presents as a spectrum of cognitive impairment, from minimal to overt stages.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current multimodality magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques for HE.
• To highlight predominant MRI findings in HE patients.
• To emphasize the role of blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) functional MRI in HE research.

Main Methods:

• Review of up-to-date multimodality MRI methods.
• Analysis of predominant findings in HE patients using MRI.
• Focus on blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) functional MRI.

Main Results:

• Multimodality MRI reveals structural and functional impairments in both white and grey matter in HE.
• BOLD functional MRI shows increasing importance in understanding HE pathophysiology.
• Current research highlights the role of hyperammonaemia and neuroinflammation in HE.

Conclusions:

• Multimodality MRI is a valuable tool for investigating HE.
• BOLD functional MRI offers promising insights into HE mechanisms.
• Further research is needed to fully elucidate the controversial pathophysiological causes of HE.