Can liver disease affect memory? Study says yes

Often, many diseases have symptoms that at first glance do not seem related to the underlying condition.  It is amazing, however, how some chronic conditions can be responsible for detrimental health problems that do not directly relate to the organ or bodily functions not working properly.  One such case is with liver disease or cirrhosis of the liver.  Most individuals know that the disease negatively impacts a person’s liver and surrounding organs, and may eventually lead to problems in the circulatory and intestinal systems.  Recently, however, a study indicates that those living with liver disease may also suffer from memory problems.

Loyola University Health System conducted the study of 301 cirrhosis patients.  The study was the first of its kind to document how liver patients compare with the general population in terms of mental capability.  The researcher evaluated patients from across the country and they all completed a test, the Repeatable Battery of Neuropsychological Status.  The test takes approximately twenty to twenty-five minutes and measures memory, attention, language, and visual spatial functions, according to DNA India.  Participants were asked to repeat lists of digits, copy figures, and recall a story, among other things.

Those in the general population who take the exam score 100, while liver patients in this study, suffering from neurocognitive impairment scored 74 on average.  This score is lower than the average score of those suffering from the early onset of Alzheimer’s disease.  The neuropsychologist conducting t he study, Dr. Randolph, noted that neurocognitive impairment is a severe problem impacting those living with liver disease.  It can affect how they do everyday tasks, whether they can work, and their relationships.  He believes that it occurs because certain toxins, such as ammonia, do not leave the body because of the diseased liver and therefore, impact the brain.  The impairment affects liver disease patients equally, independent of age, gender, education, or the severity of their liver disease, reports DNA India.

This is a remarkable study, as liver disease is already recognized as a disability by the Social Security Administration and this simply shores up the reasons why.  People living with liver disease may not only be battling the physical side effects, but the mental ones as well.  This can adversely impact their work environment and prevent them at working in the capacity that they are accustomed.  It also provides an impedance to develop treatment options to attack this memory loss in addition to physical ailments of the disease.

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