[Neuropsychiatric symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy]

The words "hepatic encephalopathy" and "hepatic coma" are used synonymously to describe the course of a disease state which is characterized by at least transient, gradual or complete loss of consciousness. Own results regarding the incidence of various neurological and psychiatric symptoms are described. Evaluation of these symptoms in a longitudinal study allows to differentiate between an acute and a subacute form of this disease state. The prominent neuropsychiatric symptoms are characterized by a disintegration of complex neuronal functions. A rating scale comprising four different symptoms is proposed, allowing grading of the disease state. Such a scale cannot replace a careful neurological work up; such work ups have to be done in regular intervals in these patients, so that neurological symptoms can be recognized at an early state.