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Hepatic encephalopathy
MONDO:0001711Hepatic encephalopathy is a syndrome observed in some patients with cirrhosis. It is defined as a spectrum of neuropsychiatric abnormalities in patients with liver dysfunction, when other known brain disease has been excluded.Signs and symptomsmay be debilitating, and they can begin mildly and gradually, or occur suddenly and severely. They may includepersonality or moodchanges, intellectual impairment, abnormal movements,a depressed level of consciousness, and other symptoms.There are several theories regarding the exact cause, butdevelopment of the condition isprobablyat least partiallydue to the effect of substances that are toxic to nerve tissue (neurotoxic), which are typically present with liver damage and/or liver disease. Treatment depends upon the severity of mental status changes and upon the certainty of the diagnosis.
Also known as: portal-systemic encephalopathy, Hepatoencephalopathy, encephalopathy, hepatic
38 clinical trials for this condition and its sub-types.
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Broader categories
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Poop pills? fecal transplants tested for liver disease
Disease control CompletedThis completed Phase 3 trial tested whether fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) could help people with liver cirrhosis. Nineteen patients received FMT via colonoscopy. Researchers measured liver stiffness and signs of brain confusion (hepatic encephalopathy) one month later. T…
Phase: PHASE3 • Sponsor: Cristian Ichim • Aim: Disease control
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 12:01 UTC
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Could a common gut drug clear brain fog in liver patients?
Disease control CompletedThis study tested whether nifuroxazide, a drug used for gut infections, can help treat hepatic encephalopathy—a condition where liver disease causes confusion and brain fog. Researchers gave the drug to 80 hospitalized patients with moderate to severe symptoms. The goal was to se…
Phase: PHASE3 • Sponsor: Cairo University • Aim: Disease control
Last updated Jun 26, 2026 12:44 UTC
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Liver patients get brain protection: antibiotic may stop confusion after TIPS
Prevention CompletedThis study tested whether the antibiotic rifaximin could prevent a serious brain condition called hepatic encephalopathy in people with cirrhosis who undergo a TIPS procedure. The TIPS procedure helps reduce pressure in the liver but often leads to confusion and other brain issue…
Phase: PHASE3 • Sponsor: University Hospital, Toulouse • Aim: Prevention
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 12:29 UTC
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New sleep drug shows promise for liver patients
Symptom relief CompletedThis study tested a sleep medication called lemborexant in 82 adults with liver cirrhosis who had trouble sleeping. The drug works by blocking wakefulness signals in the brain. Researchers measured sleep quality and checked for side effects on the liver. The goal was to see if le…
Phase: PHASE2 • Sponsor: Indonesia University • Aim: Symptom relief
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 11:03 UTC
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Your voice may reveal hidden liver risks
Knowledge-focused CompletedThis study looked at whether speech features—like how people sound and what they say—can help detect or predict confusion caused by liver disease (hepatic encephalopathy). Researchers recorded speech tasks from 251 participants with cirrhosis and tracked their thinking skills and…
Sponsor: University of Michigan • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 12:32 UTC