This intriguing study examined data on 177,422 people with dementia and found that up to 10 percent of them had evidence of cirrhosis of the liver, a disease in which severe scaring inhibits the organ’s ability to function properly. In around 50 percent of patients cirrhosis is accompanied by hepatic encephalopathy, a condition in which toxins and waste that the ailing liver has failed to remove circulate to the brain and cause problems with cognition, motor skills, sleep, and mood. Crucially, however, while such symptoms bear a notable resemblance to those of dementia, hepatic encephalopathy is treatable. This raises the possibility that some patients diagnosed with dementia might in fact have a condition that is reversible.
Media reports on this story describe how two older men who were thought to have dementia and Parkinson’s disease saw their symptoms ease after being treated for hepatic encephalopathy. One man apparently saw such a dramatic improvement in his cognitive health that he even began driving again. As a result of their findings, the JAMA Open Network researchers conclude that clinicians encountering patients with dementia should be encouraged to screen them for cirrhosis.
To read about the growing evidence that an optimum intake of B vitamins helps to prevent dementia, see this article on our website.
To learn more about the beneficial effects of nutrition for improving cognitive function and dementia, see this article on our website.
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February 9, 2024Some Dementia Patients Might Have Reversible Symptoms Caused by Cirrhosis of the Liver
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Some dementia patients, even up to 10 percent of people diagnosed with the condition, might actually have undiagnosed liver disease and accompanying neurological problems, a new study in JAMA Open Network suggests. Most importantly, it’s possible their liver-related brain symptoms could be resolved with treatment.
[Source: statnews.com]
[Image source: Adobe Stock]
Comment
This intriguing study examined data on 177,422 people with dementia and found that up to 10 percent of them had evidence of cirrhosis of the liver, a disease in which severe scaring inhibits the organ’s ability to function properly. In around 50 percent of patients cirrhosis is accompanied by hepatic encephalopathy, a condition in which toxins and waste that the ailing liver has failed to remove circulate to the brain and cause problems with cognition, motor skills, sleep, and mood. Crucially, however, while such symptoms bear a notable resemblance to those of dementia, hepatic encephalopathy is treatable. This raises the possibility that some patients diagnosed with dementia might in fact have a condition that is reversible.
Media reports on this story describe how two older men who were thought to have dementia and Parkinson’s disease saw their symptoms ease after being treated for hepatic encephalopathy. One man apparently saw such a dramatic improvement in his cognitive health that he even began driving again. As a result of their findings, the JAMA Open Network researchers conclude that clinicians encountering patients with dementia should be encouraged to screen them for cirrhosis.
To read about the growing evidence that an optimum intake of B vitamins helps to prevent dementia, see this article on our website.
To learn more about the beneficial effects of nutrition for improving cognitive function and dementia, see this article on our website.
Dr. Rath Health Foundation
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