Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Hepatic encephalopathy: etiology, pathogenesis, and clinical signs.
- Journal:
- Compendium (Yardley, PA)
- Year:
- 2013
- Authors:
- Salgado, Melissa & Cortes, Yonaira
- Affiliation:
- Red Bank Veterinary Hospital · United States
Plain-English summary
Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a condition that can happen when a pet has liver problems, and it shows up as various clinical signs. In small animals, like dogs and cats, HE often occurs due to a condition called portosystemic shunting, where blood bypasses the liver. The exact reasons why this happens are still not fully understood, but it seems to involve several factors, including issues with how the body processes ammonia and certain brain chemicals. Researchers believe that understanding these underlying causes could help develop new treatments for pets suffering from HE in the future.
Abstract
Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a manifestation of clinical signs that may result from a variety of liver diseases. In small animals, HE is most commonly a result of portosystemic shunting. The pathogenesis is not completely understood, although it is likely multifactorial. Theories of pathogenesis include altered ammonia metabolism and glutamine and glutamate transmission, an increase in gamma-aminobutyric acid agonists and benzodiazepine-like substances, alterations of the serotonergic system and amino acid metabolism, elevated taurine levels, contributions from inflammatory mediators, and toxic effects of manganese. An understanding of the underlying mechanisms that result in HE may lead to new treatments in the future.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23677822/