From:  Minimal hepatic encephalopathy: a hidden threat to quality of life in cirrhosis patients

 Pathophysiology of MHE [810]

FactorMechanism
HyperammonemiaImpaired liver detoxification→ammonia crosses blood-brain barrier→neuronal dysfunction
Systemic inflammationGut dysbiosis→endotoxemia→elevated TNF-α/IL-6→neuroinflammation
Gut-brain axisDysbiosis→increased ammonia/endotoxins→systemic and brain inflammation

MHE: minimal hepatic encephalopathy