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Cortical networks are disturbed in people with cirrhosis even in the absence of neuropsychometric impairment

Olesen, SS; Jackson, CD; Gram, M; Zacharias, HD; Dirks, M; Weissenborn, K; Drewes, AM; (2019) Cortical networks are disturbed in people with cirrhosis even in the absence of neuropsychometric impairment. Clinical Neurophysiology , 130 (3) pp. 419-427. 10.1016/j.clinph.2018.11.011. Green open access

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Hepatic encephalopathy is a common complication of cirrhosis; it is characterised by neuropsychometric/neurophysiological abnormalities. Its pathophysiology is complex but glial neuronal communication is likely to be disrupted and to impact on oscillatory networks and cortical connectivity. The aim of this study was to use multichannel electroencephalography (EEG) to investigate functional connectivity, as a surrogate for cortical networks, in patients with cirrhosis. METHODS: Resting EEGs were recorded in 98 healthy controls and in 264 patients with cirrhosis characterised psychometrically using the Psychometric Hepatic Encephalopathy Score (PHES). Functional connectivity was calculated using the phase-lag index with stratification into standard EEG frequency bands. The findings were validated in a further cohort of 39 healthy controls and 106 patients with cirrhosis. RESULTS: Widespread disruption in functional connectivity was observed in the patients compared with the controls; connectivity was increased in the theta (4-8 Hz) band and decreased in the delta (1-3.5 Hz), alpha (8.5-13 Hz) and beta (13.5-26.5 Hz) bands. Changes were apparent even in patients who were psychometrically unimpaired compared with healthy controls viz mean ± SEM theta 0.107 ± 0.001 vs. 0.103 ± 0.002 (p < 0.05) and alpha 0.139 ± 0.003 vs. 0.154 ± 0.003 (p < 0.01); more pronounced changes were observed with increasing neuropsychometric impairment. The findings were replicated in the second cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Cortical networks are disturbed in patients with cirrhosis even in the absence of psychometric impairment. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings will facilitate further exploration of the pathophysiology of this condition and provide a robust means for assessing treatment effects in research settings.

Type: Article
Title: Cortical networks are disturbed in people with cirrhosis even in the absence of neuropsychometric impairment
Location: Netherlands
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2018.11.011
Publisher version: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinph.2018.11.011
Language: English
Additional information: This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions.
Keywords: Cirrhosis, EEG, Functional cortical networks, Hepatic encephalopathy, Pathophysiology, Psychometry
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Medical Sciences > Div of Medicine
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Medical Sciences > Div of Medicine > Inst for Liver and Digestive Hlth
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Medical Sciences > UCL Medical School
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10064982
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