Hepatic Encephalopathy and Nitrogen Metabolism

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