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Sequential concept formation capacity in subclinical (latent) portal-systemic encephalopathy
The International Journal of Neuroscience
|February 1, 1987
Summary
Patients with nonalcoholic cirrhosis showed normal abstraction ability in a card sorting task. This suggests that not all higher cognitive functions are impaired in hepatic disease patients with subclinical portosystemic encephalopathy (PSE).
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Hepatology
- Cognitive Psychology
Background:
- Nonalcoholic cirrhosis can lead to hepatic encephalopathy, a condition affecting brain function.
- Subclinical portosystemic encephalopathy (PSE) may impact higher cognitive functions even before overt symptoms appear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate abstraction ability in patients with nonalcoholic cirrhosis.
- To determine if subclinical PSE affects sequential concept formation capacity.
Main Methods:
- A card sorting task was used to measure sequential concept formation capacity.
- Patients with nonalcoholic cirrhosis were compared to a group of normal controls.
Main Results:
- Hepatic disease subjects did not differ from normal controls in abstraction ability.
- The card sorting task did not reveal cognitive deficits in the cirrhotic group.
Conclusions:
- Abstraction ability, as measured by this card sorting task, is preserved in patients with nonalcoholic cirrhosis.
- These findings suggest that not all higher cognitive functions are compromised in individuals with subclinical PSE.