studies

234A AASLD ABSTRACTS HEPATOLOGY, October, 2015
LT. Therefore, MHE, i) should not to be ignored and ii) deserves
to be treated in order to reduce the risk of neurological complications
occurring post-LT.
Disclosures:
The following authors have nothing to disclose: Marc-André Clément, Cristina R.
Bosoi, Mélanie Tremblay, Chantal Bemeur, Christopher F. Rose
52
The Functional Basis for Cognitive Improvement after
Liver Transplant: A Prospective Brain MRI Study
Vishwadeep Ahluwalia, James Wade, HoChong Gilles, Melanie
White, Ariel Unser, Edith A. Gavis, Mohammad S. Siddiqui, Velimir
A. Luketic, Arun J. Sanyal, Puneet Puri, Douglas M. Heuman,
Scott C. Matherly, R. Todd Stravitz, Richard K. Sterling, Michael
Fuchs, Jasmohan S. Bajaj; VCU and McGuire VAMC, Richmond,
VA
Cirrhotics have varying degrees of cognitive recovery post-liver
transplant (LT) depending on their prior hepatic encephalopathy(HE)
status but the mechanism is unclear. Aim: Define the
functional basis of cognitive change in LT recipients. Method:
Cirrhotics on the transplant list underwent standard cognitive
testing & questionnaires regarding depression (Beck Depression,
BDI), QOL (Sickness impact profile, SIP has psych &
physical components) pre/6 months post-LT. Cognitive tests
were number connection A/B (NC), digit symbol (DS) & block
design (BD) which test for psychomotor speed, set-shifting and
visuo-motor coordination. We also performed brain functional
MRI while subjects underwent the inhibitory control test (ICT)
within the scanner. ICT tests for response inhibition, working
memory & psychomotor speed. The outcomes are lures (that
need to be inhibited) & targets (need to be responded to).
Changes in brain activation on correct lure inhibition & target
response were compared before & after LT. Results: We
enrolled 67 cirrhotics of which 11 died prior, 12 still await &
5 pts were