Hepatic Encephalopathy and Nitrogen Metabolism 2006 edition

Marc Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index. Table of Contents: Preface.- Foundation of the 'International Society of Hepatic Encephalopathy and Nitrogen Metabolism' (ISHEN).- I. Physiology and pathophysiology of astrocytes.- Water transport in the brain: basic concepts and astrocyte swelling.- Osmotic and Oxidative stress in hepatic encephalopathy.- NADPH oxidase is a major source of swelling-induced generation of reactive oxygen species in rat astrocytes.- Detoxification of hydrogen peroxide by astrocytes.- Glutamate release from astrocytes, impact on neuronal function.- Hepatic stellate cells and astrocytes both star-shaped but not next of kin.- Localization and function of the ATP binding cassette C (ABCC/MRP) efflux pumps in human brain.- Glial mechanism of axomal growth protection from ammonia.- Selenoprotein P: a link between liver and brain.- II Pathogenesis of HE.- The peripheral benzodiazepine receptor and neurosteroids in the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy and ammonia neurotoxicity.- Glutamatergic synaptic regulation deficit in liver failture: A review of molecular mechanisms.- Synaptic plasticity in animal models relevant for hepatic encephalopathy.- NMDA receptors in hyperammonemia and hepatic encephalopathy.- Prehepatic portal hypertension and mitochondrial dysfunction in brain hipppo-campus.- Nuclear magnetic resonance studies in experimental animal models of hepatic encephalopathy.- The role of inflammation in hepatic encephalopathy.- III. Brain imging in HE research.- Altered neural oscillations and synchronization: a pathophysiological hallmark of hepatic encephalopathy.- Neurotransmitter receptor alterations in hepatic encephalopathy.- Quantitiative T1 and water content mapping in hepatic encephalopathy.- Central nervous system involvement in Hepatitis C virus infection: what to measure?.- Localized MR-correlated spectroscopy using two spectral dimensions: Theoretical description and pilot investigation in hepatic encephalopathy.- IV. New aspects of nitrogen metabolism.- Urea cycle disorders.-The pathophysiology of citrin deficiency.- Hepatic encephalopathy in organic acidurias Hyperammonemia and energy failure.- Glutamine synthetase deficiency in the human.- Hepatic dysfunction and encephalopathy in inborn errors of metabolism.- Amino acids and mTOR-dependent signalling.- Ceramide is a negative regulator of insulin action, nutrient uptake and protein synthesis in cultured rat skeletal muscle cells.- Ammonia transport in aquaporins Molecular mechanicsm and clinical relevance.- Glutamine synthetase as a target of ss-catenin: New insights into hepatic heterogeneity.- Ammonia metabolism in liver cirrhosis.- V. Clinical assissment of HE.- Definition and assessment of low grade hepatic encephalopathy.- Hepatic encephalopathy in acute liver failure.- Quality of life in chronic liver diseases and in hepatic encephalopathy.- Hyponatremia: A risk factor of hepatic encephalopathy in cirrhosis.- Neuropsychological dysfunction in minimal hepatic encephalopathy: a review compared with own experience.- Computerised or paper and pencil psychometric tests for the assessment of hepatic encephalopathy?.- Neuropsychological basis of critical flicker frequency analysis (CFF).- Critical assessment of the PHES-test in patients with low grade hepatic encephalopathy.- VI. Treatment.- Evidence-based medicine and treatment of hepatic encephalopathy.- Brain acute liver failure edema in: Mechanisms and therapeutical options.- Hepatic encephalopathy and artificial liver support.- Prometheus(r) - A new extracorporeal system for the treatment of liver failure.- Modulation of intestinal flora for the treatment of hepatic encephalopahty in cirrhosis.- Prevention of post-TIPS hepatic encephalopathy.- Milestones in HE research.- Group picture.- Index"Publisher Marketing: Hepatic encephalopathy is a major complication of liver cirrhosis and acute liver failure and represents an important issue of clinical and socioeconomic relevance. Hyperammonemic syndromes due to inborn errors of metabolism can also trigger encephalopathy. Much effort has been devoted during recent decades to understand the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy, not only at the level of molecular and cell biology, but also at the neurophysiological and neuropsychological level. Considerable advances in the understanding of the syndrome and its relation to nitrogen metabolism have been achieved since the introduction and application of modern techniques of cell and molecular biology, neurophysiology and functional brain imaging, including magnetencephalography, positron emission tomography and functional magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy. In addition, novel approaches for diagnosis and treatment of hepatic encephalopathy have been developed in recent years and our understanding of the basic mechanisms of ammonia metabolism and inborn hyperammonaemic states has improved considerably. Although many questions are still open, recent scientific advances strengthen the view that hepatic encephalopathy is a consequence of disturbed astroglial hydration and glia neuronal communication with pathologically altered oscillatory electrical coupling and processing in the brain. The most recent developments in research on hepatic encephalopathy, inborn hyperammonaemic syndromes and nitrogen metabolism, including clinical aspects, were presented by international acknowledged experts in this active research field at the 12th International Symposium on Hepatic Encephalopathy, which was held from June 1 to 4, 2005 in Solingen, Schloss Burg, Germany. This book comprehensively summarizes the most important novel issues on hepatic encephalopathy and nitrogen metabolism and is of interest not only for scientists in the field, but also for interested clinicians. This update of present knowledge will provide a platform for future research in the field of hepatic encephalopathy and nitrogen metabolism."