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
41 clinical trials for this condition and its sub-types.
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Broader categories
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Could a common supplement help liver patients in intensive care?
Disease control Recruiting nowThis study looks at whether adding L-carnitine, a natural substance, to standard care can improve outcomes for critically ill adults with liver disease in the ICU. About 58 participants with conditions like liver failure or severe infections will be enrolled. Researchers will tra…
Phase: PHASE4 • Sponsor: Beni-Suef University • Aim: Disease control
Last updated Jul 23, 2026 00:00 UTC
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Could a fecal transplant stop dangerous brain fog after liver surgery?
Disease control Recruiting nowThis study tests whether fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) — transferring stool from healthy donors into the gut — can help prevent repeated episodes of hepatic encephalopathy (a serious brain condition) in people who have had TIPS surgery for liver problems. The trial enrol…
Phase: EARLY_PHASE1 • Sponsor: Air Force Military Medical University, China • Aim: Disease control
Last updated Jul 08, 2026 00:00 UTC
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New stent technique aims to stop deadly bleeding without harming the brain
Disease control Recruiting nowThis study compares two ways of placing a stent in the liver to prevent repeat bleeding from swollen veins in the throat or stomach in people with cirrhosis. The standard method fully expands the stent, while the new method uses a smaller balloon to keep it slightly narrower. The…
Phase: NA • Sponsor: Air Force Military Medical University, China • Aim: Disease control
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 13:05 UTC
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Could a simple protein infusion boost brain function in liver disease?
Disease control Recruiting nowThis study looks at whether giving a protein called albumin through a vein can help improve thinking and memory in people with liver cirrhosis who have had episodes of confusion (hepatic encephalopathy). The trial will involve 30 participants who will receive both albumin and a p…
Phase: PHASE2 • Sponsor: Hunter Holmes Mcguire Veteran Affairs Medical Center • Aim: Disease control
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 12:06 UTC
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Could a blood thinner and heart pill prevent deadly liver complications?
Disease control Recruiting nowThis study tests whether adding the blood thinner apixaban to the heart drug carvedilol can prevent complications like bleeding, fluid buildup, and confusion in people with cirrhosis and high blood pressure in the liver. About 220 adults with stable cirrhosis will take either api…
Phase: PHASE4 • Sponsor: Asian Institute Of Medical Sciences • Aim: Disease control
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 12:05 UTC
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Could a poop pill keep cirrhosis patients out of the hospital?
Disease control Recruiting nowThis study tests whether taking capsules of processed donor stool (fecal transplant) can help people with liver cirrhosis avoid serious infections and hospital stays. About 300 adults with alcohol-related or fatty liver cirrhosis will receive either the transplant or a placebo an…
Phase: PHASE3 • Sponsor: King's College London • Aim: Disease control
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 09:08 UTC
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Engineered immune cells aim to calm liver scarring in first human trial
Disease control Recruiting nowThis study tests a new treatment called RTX001 for people with severe liver scarring (cirrhosis) that has led to complications. RTX001 uses the patient's own immune cells, modified in a lab to reduce inflammation and scarring. The trial will enroll 30 adults to check if the thera…
Phase: PHASE1, PHASE2 • Sponsor: Resolution Therapeutics Limited • Aim: Disease control
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 09:00 UTC
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Smaller stent, bigger hope: new TIPS technique aims to prevent brain fog
Disease control Recruiting nowThis study tests a technique called 'underdilated stent' during a liver shunt procedure (TIPS) for people with cirrhosis. The goal is to see if using a smaller balloon to place the stent can lower the risk of hepatic encephalopathy (brain confusion) after the procedure, while sti…
Phase: NA • Sponsor: The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University • Aim: Disease control
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 08:13 UTC
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Can a protein shake keep liver patients out of the hospital?
Disease control Recruiting nowThis study tests whether taking a protein supplement (Ensure Enlive) in the late evening and early morning can reduce hospital readmissions for people with hepatic encephalopathy, a brain condition caused by liver disease. The trial enrolls 40 adults with cirrhosis who have been …
Phase: NA • Sponsor: The Cleveland Clinic • Aim: Disease control
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 07:59 UTC
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Could a simple block test detect 'Silent' brain fog in liver disease?
Diagnosis Recruiting nowThis pilot study tests a new cognitive test using building blocks to quickly screen for minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE), a subtle brain complication in people with liver disease. Researchers will compare the test's accuracy against standard methods in 100 adults with liver f…
Sponsor: Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris • Aim: Diagnosis
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 09:06 UTC
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Melatonin may ease sleep and brain fog in liver disease — a trial puts it to the test
Symptom relief Recruiting nowThis pilot study tests whether taking melatonin at night can increase REM sleep and improve cognitive function in people with cirrhosis who have a complication called hepatic encephalopathy (HE). Participants take melatonin for one month and a control supplement (thiamine) for an…
Phase: NA • Sponsor: Weill Medical College of Cornell University • Aim: Symptom relief
Last updated Jul 31, 2026 00:00 UTC
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Simple quiz could catch brain fog in liver patients early
Knowledge-focused Recruiting nowThis study is creating and testing a new questionnaire called LiCCoS for adults with liver cirrhosis. The goal is to help identify common thinking problems like forgetfulness or trouble focusing, which are often missed. About 230 participants will fill out the questionnaire and t…
Sponsor: University of Malaya • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 09:06 UTC
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Could potato starch help liver patients think clearly?
Knowledge-focused Recruiting nowThis pilot study at Mayo Clinic is testing whether a dietary supplement called resistant potato starch can change gut bacteria in people with cirrhosis who have had episodes of confusion (hepatic encephalopathy). Eleven participants will take 20 grams of potato starch twice daily…
Phase: NA • Sponsor: Mayo Clinic • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 09:00 UTC
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10,000 liver patients enrolled in landmark Long-Term study
Knowledge-focused Recruiting nowThis study follows 10,000 people with advanced chronic liver disease at Vienna General Hospital. Researchers will track their health over time, collect blood, urine, and tissue samples, and record complications like bleeding or liver failure. The goal is to better understand how …
Sponsor: Medical University of Vienna • Aim: Knowledge-focused
Last updated Jun 27, 2026 07:51 UTC