Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 2, 2025
08:36
Author Spotlight: Evaluating the Adjuvant Efficacy and Safety of Angong Niuhuang Pill in Viral Encephalitis Treatment
Published on: April 19, 2024
687
Hepatic Encephalopathy: Current and Emerging Treatment Modalities.
Mohammad Amin Fallahzadeh1, Robert S Rahimi1
1Baylor University Medical Center, Baylor Scott & White Health, Dallas, Texas.
Summary
Hepatic encephalopathy (HE), a brain dysfunction from cirrhosis, affects 30% of patients. Current treatments target ammonia, but novel therapies are emerging for better management of this condition.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Neurology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a serious neurocognitive complication of cirrhosis.
- It affects at least 30% of cirrhosis patients, causing significant healthcare and caregiver burdens.
- Ammonia is the primary toxin implicated in HE development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the characteristics and pathophysiology of HE.
- To explore current and novel therapeutic strategies for HE.
- To provide a focus on future treatment modalities for HE.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of HE characteristics, pathophysiology, and treatments.
- Analysis of current approved therapies targeting ammonia.
- Overview of emerging and future treatment options for HE.
Main Results:
- Current HE treatments primarily focus on reducing ammonia levels.
- Novel therapies are being developed to address HE more effectively.
- Future treatments may offer improved management for this cirrhosis complication.
Conclusions:
- Hepatic encephalopathy is a significant complication of cirrhosis with established and evolving treatment landscapes.
- Targeting ammonia remains central to current HE management.
- Ongoing research promises new therapeutic avenues for HE.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Alzheimer's Disease: Treatment
256
Alzheimer's Disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disorder, is pathologically identified by amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles composed of tau protein. AD pharmacotherapy aims to manage cognitive symptoms, delay disease progression, and treat behavioral symptoms. The treatment is primarily symptomatic and palliative, with no definitive disease-modifying therapy available. Cholinesterase inhibitors, including donepezil (Aricept), rivastigmine (Exelon), and galantamine (Razadyne), are...
256
01:30Electroconvulsive Therapy
138
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), or shock therapy, remains a critical biomedical intervention for severe, treatment-resistant depression. While its origins can be traced back to Hippocrates' observations that malaria-induced convulsions alleviated mental illness, modern ECT has evolved significantly from its earlier, more primitive applications. First introduced in 1938 by Ugo Cerletti and his colleagues, ECT involves inducing controlled seizures using electrical currents. In its early...
138
01:28Esophageal Varices-II: Clinical Features and Management
124
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...
In the initial assessment, a thorough review of the patient's medical history is vital to identify risk factors such as liver disease, alcohol...
124
01:30Cognitive Enhancers: Cholinesterase Inhibitors and NMDA Receptor Antagonists
198
Cognitive enhancers, also known as "smart drugs," are substances used to enhance memory, mental alertness, and concentration. These can be natural or synthetic and improve cognition in conditions like Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative diseases. Some common examples include caffeine, amphetamines, methylphenidate, modafinil, arecoline, donepezil, vortioxetine, and piracetam. These enhancers work on the principle of synaptic plasticity and altered circuit function.
198
01:24Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview
268
Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disease marked by recurrent, unpredictable seizures. These seizures are caused by abnormal electrical discharges in the brain, leading to behavior, sensation, or consciousness alterations. They can also cause transient impairment of awareness, interfering with daily activities.
Various factors can trigger epilepsy, including genetic factors, brain damage, metabolic causes, and unknown etiology. Diagnosis of epilepsy involves electroencephalography (EEG), which...
Various factors can trigger epilepsy, including genetic factors, brain damage, metabolic causes, and unknown etiology. Diagnosis of epilepsy involves electroencephalography (EEG), which...
268
01:14Antiepileptic Drugs: Glutamate Antagonists
493
Glutamate is a fundamental neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, playing a vital role in neuronal communication and various cognitive processes. Glutamate stands as the principal excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain. Its presence is crucial for the communication between neurons, underpinning essential processes such as synaptic transmission, neuronal excitability, and plasticity. These functions are vital for higher-order cognitive processes, including learning and memory. The...
493