Mapping Metabolic Brain Activity in Three Models of Hepatic Encephalopathy. (14th March 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Arias, Natalia; Méndez, Marta; Fidalgo, Camino; Aller, María Ángeles; Arias, Jaime; Arias, Jorge L.
• Other Names: de las Heras Natalia Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: International journal of hypertension. Volume 2013(2013)
• Publication Date: 2013-03-14
• Subjects: Hypertension -- Periodicals; Hypertension; Hypertension; Periodicals; 616.132005
• DOI: 10.1155/2013/390872
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2090-0384

Abstract

Abstract : Cirrhosis is a common disease in Western countries. Liver failure, hyperammonemia, and portal hypertension are the main factors that contribute to human cirrhosis that frequently leads to a neuropsychiatric disorder known as hepatic encephalopathy (HE). In this study, we examined the differential contribution of these leading factors to the oxidative metabolism of diverse brain limbic system regions frequently involved in memory process by histochemical labelling of cytochrome oxidase (COx). We have analyzed cortical structures such as the infralimbic and prelimbic cotices, subcortical structures such as hippocampus and ventral striatum, at thalamic level like the anterodorsal, anteroventral, and mediodorsal thalamus, and, finally, the hypothalamus, where the mammillary nuclei (medial and lateral) were measured. The severest alteration is found in the model that mimics intoxication by ammonia, followed by the thioacetamide-treated group and the portal hypertension group. No changes were found at the mammillary bodies for any of the experimental groups.