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EEG dynamics associated with severity of liver disease, hepatic encephalopathy
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Electroencephalogram alterations in patients with cirrhosis were correlated with severity of liver disease and hepatic encephalopathy, according to a study.
Closed-eye electroencephalograms (EEGs) were performed on 175 adult cirrhosis patients. Clinical and psychometric assessments for hepatic encephalopathy were also performed. Control EEGs were performed on 50 healthy adult volunteers.
After 1 year, the researchers found a reduced frequency in the posterior derivations and an increase in interhemispheric parietal relative coherence within the theta band in the EEGs of patients with cirrhosis. These measurements were inversely associated with survival and the occurrence of overt hepatic encephalopathy during follow-up.
“The clinical implication of this study is that EEG is worthy of being incorporated into the routine clinical evaluation of these patients,” the study authors said.
Disclosure: Orsato is now employed in an EEG-producing company.