The effect of lactulose on psychomotor performance tests in alcoholic cirrhotics without overt hepatic encephalopathy

Thirty-two alcoholic cirrhotics without clinical evidence of encephalopathy were randomized to lactulose or sucrose treatment in order to evaluate the effects of chronic lactulose therapy on five psychomotor performance tests. Statistically significant improvement was seen in three of the five tests in the lactulose-treated group, while no significant improvement in any test was noted in the sucrose group. However, because of the limited extent of improvement in the lactulose treated group, problems with medication intolerance, and lack of improvement in complex psychosocial behavior, the impact of chronic lactulose therapy on mental function in cirrhotics without overt encephalopathy appears to be limited.