急性一氧化碳中毒并发迟发性脑病相关因素分析

目的：探讨急性一氧化碳中毒后迟发性脑病（DEACMP）发生的临床相关因素。方法：选择急性一氧化碳中毒患者145例,根据是否并发DEACMP,分为并发DEACMP 46例患者（观察组）和未并发DEACMP 99例患者（对照组）两组,统计分析两组患者年龄、性别、急性期昏迷时间、接受高压氧治疗时间、脑血管病、糖尿病、吸烟饮酒史及头颅CT/MRI等因素与发生DEACMP的相关性。结果：145例患者中,DEACMP发生率31.72%;观察组和对照组年龄〉40岁患者所占比率分别为60.9%和76.8%,两组比较具有统计学意义（P〈0.05）;观察组昏迷时间〈12h7例（15.2%）,25-48h10例（21.7%）,〉48h15例（32.6%）,与对照组分别比较,均有统计学差异（P〈0.05）;观察组CO中毒后接受高压氧治疗时间〈2h和〉4hDEACMP的发生率分别为8.7%和63.0%,与对照组比较,均有统计学差异（P〈0.01）;观察组头颅CT/MRI异常DEACM发生率为80.4%,显著高于对照组43.40%（P〈0.01）;观察组既往基础病如高血压、糖尿病,吸烟史、饮酒史的,分别与对照组比较,均具有统计学差异（P〈0.05）。Logistic回归分析结果显示,年龄〉40岁、昏迷时间、接受高压氧治疗时间、头颅CT/MRI异常、高血压、糖尿病、饮酒史均为DEACMP发生的独立危险因素。结论：急性一氧化碳中毒并发DEACMP存在多种危险因素,尤其年龄、昏迷时间、接受高压氧治疗时间、头颅CT/MRI异常、高血压、糖尿病、饮酒史等为主要因素。

双水平气道正压通气与常规机械通气治疗慢性阻塞性肺疾病合并肺性脑病的疗效观察

目的:探讨双水平气道正压通气与常规机械通气治疗慢性阻塞性肺疾病合并肺性脑病的对比疗效。方法:将慢性阻塞性肺疾病合并肺性脑病患者120例随机分为两组,两组都给予常规治疗,治疗组在此基础上加用双水平气道正压通气治疗,对照组采用常规机械通气治疗。结果:对于慢性阻塞性肺疾病合并肺性脑病患者,双水平气道正压通气治疗组有效率90.0%,对照组有效率70.0%,差异明显(P?0.05)。对照组治疗前后肺活量(TLC)、肺活量(VC)、肺功能系数(DL-CO)等各项肺功能指标变化无显著性差异(P<0.05),而治疗组治疗前后上述指标显著升高(P?0.05)。两组患者治疗后动脉血氧分压(PaO2)均明显改善,与治疗前对比差异显著(P?0.05),而组间比较无显著差异(P<0.05)。结论:双水平气道正压通气呼吸机采用双水平正压的工作方式,可以改善慢性阻塞性肺疾病合并肺性脑病的肺功能与动脉血氧分压,从而提高治疗综合效果。

甲泼尼龙与地塞米松治疗一氧化碳中毒患者迟发性脑病痴呆远期临床疗效观察

目的:研究甲泼尼龙与地塞米松治疗一氧化碳中毒患者迟发性脑病痴呆远期(1年后)临床疗效,探讨激素治疗一氧化碳中毒迟发性脑病痴呆患者效果最佳、副作用最小的方法。方法:选择改良长谷川痴呆量表评分筛选,评分小于15分的一氧化碳中毒迟发性脑病痴呆患者96例,按治疗方法不同将其分为甲泼尼龙组、地塞米松组和对照组三组,对年龄、性别、昏迷情况、影像学资料进行比较,随诊至少1年,用改良长谷川痴呆量表和日常生活能力量表进行测评分析。结果:改良长谷川痴呆量表显示甲泼尼龙组、地塞米松组和对照组三组1年后评分较发病时显著升高(P<0.05),而1年后甲泼尼龙组评分较地塞米松组和对照组高(P<0.05),地塞米松组评分较对照组高(P<0.05)。日常生活能力量表显示甲泼尼龙组、地塞米松组和对照组三组1年后评分较发病时显著升高(P<0.05),1年后甲泼尼龙组评分较地塞米松组和对照组高(P<0.05),地塞米松组评分较对照组高(P<0.05),三组不良反应的发生率比较均无统计学差异(P>0.05)。结论:甲泼尼龙和地塞米松均能改善一氧化碳中毒患者后迟发性脑病痴呆远期智能和日常生活能力;并甲泼尼龙较地塞米松疗效显著,副作用小,使用安全。

组合人工肾、血液透析滤过、高通量透析对尿毒症脑病患者中大分子毒素清除效果观察

目的:对比组合人工肾、血液透析滤过、高通量透析三种血液净化模式对尿毒症脑病患者中大分子毒素清除效果。方法:选择规律透析的尿毒症脑病患者150例,治疗期间均停止口服钙剂及维生素D或其类似物。将其随机分为透析滤过组(HDF)、组合人工肾组(HD+HP)、高通量透析组(HFHD)各50例。各组均行每周3次的血液透析,透析液钙浓度1.5mmol/L,其中每周前2次为普通透析,第3次用HDF、HD+HP或HFHD的模式,4h/次。第1次治疗前和治疗后、治疗8周后,分别抽取三组患者的血标本,检测血常规、血iPTH、β2-微球蛋白(β2-MG)水平、电解质等。结果:三组患者iPTH、β2-MG、血磷水平在第1次治疗后均较治疗前显著降低(P<0.05),且HD+HP组效果最明显,血肌酐、尿素氮、血钙、白蛋白、血红蛋白等第1次治疗后与治疗8周后相比差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。三组患者iPTH、β2-MG、血磷水平在治疗8周后均较第1次治疗后显著降低(P<0.05),且与HDF组和HFHD组比较,HD+HP组血iPTH、β2-MG浓度下降水平最明显(P<0.05)。结论:尿毒症脑病患者接受血液透析滤过、组合型人工肾、高通量透析治疗,均能有效地清除血iPTH、β2-MG、血磷,以HD+HP清除效果最明显。

不同病因可逆性后部白质脑病综合征临床分析

目的：探讨分析33例可逆性后部白质脑病综合征患者的病因、临床表现、影像学特征及治疗,以减少误诊率。方法：回顾性分析33例可逆性后部白质脑病综合征患者的病因、临床表现、影像学特征、治疗及预后。结果：33例患者中,男21例,女12例,年龄17-75岁,平均39.9±19.4岁,15例患者发生于脑/脊髓血管造影及/或支架成形术后1-48h,9例为高血压脑病患者,3例为慢性肾功能衰竭透析治疗的患者,1例淋巴瘤接受化疗的患者,5例妊娠高血压综合征剖宫产术后发病的患者。主要表现为突然的头痛（100%）、呕吐（18%）、皮质盲（54%）、抽搐（45%）、共济失调（9%）。33例患者中23例（69%）行头颅CT检查,18例（59%）行脑MRI检查,病灶主要分布于枕叶（90%）、脑干（18%）、小脑（27%）、颞叶（18%）、顶叶（9%）,病灶在CT表现为低密度灶,在MR表现为长T1、长T2信号病灶。所有患者经脱水、对症治疗及基础疾病治疗后,没有遗留任何后遗症。结论：可逆性后部白质脑病是一组多病因、具有一定临床、影像学特征的综合征,造影剂对脑组织的影响可能参与了PRES的形成,早期诊断、及时处理可能与良好的预后关系密切。

可逆性后部白质脑病52例临床分析

可逆性后部白质脑病（Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome,RPLS）是1996Hinchey等[1]提出的概念,现将我科2012年1月至2015年10月收治的52例PRLS患者临床资料报道如下。资料与方法1一般资料本组患者男性23例,女性29例,年龄33-75岁,平均年龄47.26±11.25岁。急性起病39例,亚急性起病13例。原发性高血压16例,糖尿病肾病19例,肾病综合征16例,肺癌术后化疗1例。

补阳回神散配合大剂量纳洛酮治疗急性一氧化碳中毒所致迟发性脑病临床研究

目的:观察补阳回神散配合大剂量纳洛酮治疗急性一氧化碳中毒所致迟发性脑病临床疗效。方法:将86例急性一氧化碳中毒所致迟发性脑病患者随机分为两组,对照组43例应用大剂量纳洛酮治疗,研究组43例应用补阳回神散配合大剂量纳洛酮治疗,两组均连续治疗4周。比较两组治疗后临床疗效,记录两组治疗前后简易智能量表(MMSE)评分、Barthel指数评分,统计两组治疗前后血清C反应蛋白(CRP)、白细胞介素-1β(IL-1β)和γ-干扰素(IFN-γ)以及超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、丙二醛(MDA)水平。结果:研究组治疗后临床治疗总有效率88.37%显著高于对照组67.44%(P<0.05);两组治疗后MMSE评分、Barthel指数评分和血清SOD水平均显著高于治疗前(P<0.05),且研究组MMSE评分、Barthel指数评分和血清SOD水平均显著高于对照组(P<0.05);两组治疗后血清CRP、IL-1β、IFN-γ和MDA水平均显著低于治疗前(P<0.05),且研究组血清CRP、IL-1β、IFN-γ和MDA水平均显著低于对照组(P<0.05)。结论:补阳回神散配合大剂量纳洛酮治疗急性一氧化碳中毒所致迟发性脑病,疗效确切,并且可有效提高患者认知功能和日常生活能力。

连续性静脉-静脉血液滤过联用血液灌流治疗终末期肾病合并抗菌药脑病56例

目的:观察终末期肾病(ESRD)并发抗菌药脑病患者进行单纯连续性静脉-静脉血液滤过(CVVH)联合血液灌流(HP)治疗效果。方法:选择ESRD合并抗菌药物脑病患者56例,分为对照组26例,治疗组30例。对照组患者采用单纯CVVH治疗,治疗组在进行CVVH治疗同时联合HP治疗,观察两组治疗效果。结果:治疗7d后对照组临床症状缓解率65.4%,治疗组93%,两组比较差异有统计学意义;治疗7d后治疗组降钙素原、APACHEⅡ评分明显低于对照组,有统计学差异。结论:CVVH联用HP是救治ESRD合并抗菌药脑病患者的一种有效手段。

MRI Differentiation Diagnosis of Occupying Lesions in Cerebellopontine Angle Area

Objective： To explore the value of magnetic resonance imaging （MRI） in diagnosis of occupying lesions in cerebellopontine angle area. Methods： MRI records of 78 patients with pathologically confirmed occupied lesions in cerebellopontine angle area were analyzed. Results： Of the 78 cases, 48 （61.5%） were unilateral acoustic neuroma, 5 （6.4%） were bilateral acoustic neuroma, 12 （15.4%） were meningioma, 4 （5.1%） were trigeminal neuroma, 3 （3.8%） were lipoma, 2 （2.6%） were melanoma, and 1 （1.3%） was medulloblastoma. According to the anatomic site, tumor lesion character, and MRI signal, the majority of cerebellopontine angle area tumors were diagnosed accurately. Conclusion： MRI plays an important role in diagnosis of occupying lesions in cerebellopontine angle area.

Discrimination for minimal hepatic encephalopathy based on Bayesian modeling of default mode network

In order to classify the minimal hepatic encephalopathy （MHE） patients from healthy controls, the independent component analysis （ICA） is used to generate the default mode network （DMN） from resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging （fMRI）. Then a Bayesian voxel- wised method, graphical-model-based multivariate analysis （GAMMA）, is used to explore the associations between abnormal functional integration within DMN and clinical variable. Without any prior knowledge, five machine learning methods, namely, support vector machines （SVMs）, classification and regression trees （ CART ）, logistic regression, the Bayesian network, and C4.5, are applied to the classification. The functional integration patterns were alternative within DMN, which have the power to predict MHE with an accuracy of 98%. The GAMMA method generating functional integration patterns within DMN can become a simple, objective, and common imaging biomarker for detecting MIIE and can serve as a supplement to the existing diagnostic methods.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings of Temporal Lobe Radiation Encephalopathy in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Objective： To observe the magnetic resonance imaging （MRI） morphological features of radiation encephalopathy （REP） in nasopharyngeal carcinoma （NPC） and investigate their diagnostic value. Methods： The MRI data of 160 lesions from 104 NPC patients with the diagnosis of temporal lobe REP were retrospectively analyzed. The MRI was performed after radiation therapy of NPC with an interval ranged from 8 months to 13 years. The imaging sequences included T1-weighted imaging and T2-weighted imaging. Additionally T1-weighted imaging with injection of the contrast agent of Gd-DTPA was performed in 111 lesions and fluid attenuated inversion recovery （FLAIR） was performed on 37 lesions, and among them, 2 cases were subjected to MR perfusion weighted imaging （PWI）. Results： Unilateral temporal lobe was involved in 48 cases of REP, bilateral temporal lobe in 56 cases of REP respectively, with a total of 160 lesions. The REP in the white matter displayed hyper-intensity signal on T2-weighted imaging which could be homogenous, whereas areas with heterogeneous hypo-intensity signal could be seen in 59 of them otherwise with hyper-intensity signal, and 91 lesions of white matter were associated with gray matter lesions with an appearance of hypo-intensity signal on T1-weighted imaging and hyper-intensity signal on T2-weighted imaging. In 111 lesions with the Gd-DTPA enhanced T1-weigthed imaging, 91 showed the enhancement of brain parenchyma. Hemorrhage and hemosiderosis occurred in 5 lesions of REP. Conclusion： REP in NPC has a multiplicity of the imaging features on MRI, in addition to the common involvement of white matter, including other relatively frequent findings, such as the involvement of gray matter, hemorrhage, hemosiderosis and blood-brain barrier destruction, those could be clearly revealed on MRI.

Casein kinase 2 interacts with and phosphorylates ataxin-3

Objective Machado-Joseph disease （MJD）/Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 （SCA3） is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder caused by an expansion of polyglutamine tract near the C-terminus of the MJD1 gene product, ataxin-3. The precise mechanism of the MJD/SCA3 pathogenesis remains unclear. A growing body of evidence demonstrates that phosphorylation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of many neurodegenerative diseases. However, few kinases are known to phosphorylate ataxin-3. The present study is to explore whether ataxin-3 is a substrate of casein kinase 2 （CK2）. Methods The interaction between ataxin-3 and CK2 was identified by glutathione S-transferase （GST） pull-down assay and co-immunoprecipition assay. The phosphorylation of ataxin-3 by CK2 was measured by in vitro phosphorylation assays. Results （1） Both wild type and expanded ataxin-3 interacted with CK2α and CK2β in vitro. （2） In 293 cells, both wild type and expanded ataxin-3 interacted with CK2β, but not CK2α. （3） CK2 phosphorylated wild type and expanded ataxin-3. Conclusion Ataxin-3 is a substrate of protein kinase CK2.

IMAGING CHARACTERISTICS OF RAT MODELS OF PARKINSON DISEASE

Imaging technologies are utilized to study the brain morphology and the functions of rat models of Parkinson disease （PD）. Magnetic resonance imaging （MRI） and magnetic resonance angiography （MRA） are used to obtain morphological imaging data. Functional imaging data, such as the spectrum and blood flow changes are obtained by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy （1H-MRS） and CT perfusion （CTP）. Results show that PD rat models have no characteristic morphological imaging abnormalities, but exist regional cerebral blood flow （CBF） reductions and spectral changes in the striatum.

Therapeutic Effects of Stereotactic Radiotherapy on 389 Cases of Brain Glioma

Objective： To investigate the treatment effectiveness and side effects of stereotactic radiotherapy for brain glioma. Methods： From Jun. 1995 to Dec. 1998, 389 cases of brain gliomas were treated by stereotactic radiotherapy, among which 151 cases were treated by stereotactic radiosurgery （SRS） and the other 238 cases, by fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy （FSRT）. In the SRS group, the marginal tumor dose was 20 to 30 Gy （median, 2.6 Gy）. One to 6 isocenters （median, 2.48） and 5 to 21 irradiation arcs （median, 8.45） were applied. In the FSRT group, the per-fraction marginal tumor dose was 8 to 12 Gy with 1 to 6 isocenters （median, 2.53）, 6 to 20 irradiation arcs （median, 8.25） and 2-5 fractions delivered everyday or every other day. Results： Three months after treatment, the complete and partial response rates were 13.9% and 45.7% in SRS group respectively. The stable disease rate was 17.2%. The total effective rate was 76.8%. In FSRT group, the complete and partial remission rates were 19.7% and 47.9% respectively. The stable disease rate was 20.6%. The total effective rate was 88.2%. The total effective rate of FSRT group was higher than that in SRS group （X^2=9.874, P=0.020）. The 1-year, 3-year and 5-year survival rate of all patients was 54.3%, 29.3%, 16.5% respectively. The 1-year, 3-year and 5-year survival rate in SRS group and FSRT group was 52.3% vs 26.5%, 11.9% vs 55.5%, and 31.1 vs 19.3% respectively. There was no significant difference between the two groups （X^2=2.16, P=0.1417）. The brain edema caused by the main radiation was more severe in the SRS group than in FSRT group （X^2=4.916, P=0.027）. Conclusion： It is effective for brain glioma to be treated by stereotactic radiotherapy. Compared with SRS, the FSRT has the advantage of good effect and less side response.

The Value of CSF Level of β- amyloid Protein in the Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease

Objective:To evaluate the diagnostic potential of cerebrospmal fluid (CSF) levels of β-amyloid protein (Aβ) as biochemical marker for senile dementia in clinical practice. Methods : Sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed in our lalxrratory to delect the CSF levels of Aβt-40, Aβ1-42 in 54 patients with Alzlteimer's disease (AD), and 30 normal controls (NC). Results: The cut off value of Aβ ratio and Aβ1-42 concentration in NC group provided 54. 51%, 90. 00% sensitivity and 81. 25%, 84. 38% specificity respectively in diagnosis of AD. Conclusion : AD group had a significant decreased level of Aβ1-42 and an increased level of Aβ ratio, compared with NC group.

The Gene of Megalencephalic Leukoencephalopathy with Subcortical Cysts is Mapped on Chromosome 22q13.3 with 250 kb Interval

Objective: Vacuolating megalencephalic leukoencephalopathy with subcortical cysts (MLC) is a recently described syndrome with autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. Its possible gene was located on chromosomal 22q tel with 3-cM. The purpose of this study was to narrow down the genetical distance on chromosomal 22q tel with MLC. Methods: Thirty-nine MLC patients in 33 families were collected,and the linkage analysis and haplotype analysis of twelve informative families were done, using seven microsatellite markers and four SNP markers. Results: The maximum tow-point LOD score for marker 355c18 was 6.65 at recombination fraction 0.02. The haplotype analysis narrowed down the critical region of MLC to 250 kb on chromosomal 22q tel. Conclusion: One of the causing genes of MLC was located on chromosomal 22q tel with 250 kb. Four candidate genes were considered. The heterogeneity of one informative family indicated possible existence of a second locus for MLC.

Minimal hepatic encephalopathy matters in daily life

Minimal hepatic encephalopathy is a neuro-cognitive dysfunction which occurs in an epidemic proportion of cirrhotic patients,estimated as high as 80% of the population tested. It is characterized by a specific,complex cognitive dysfunction which is independent of sleep dysfunction or problems with overall intelligence. Although named "minimal",minimal hepatic encephalopathy(MHE) can have a far-reaching impact on quality of life,ability to function in daily life and progression to overt hepatic encephalopathy. Importantly,MHE has a profound negative impact on the ability to drive a car and may be a significant factor behind motor vehicle accidents. A crucial aspect of the clinical care of MHE patients is their driving history,which is often ignored in routine care and can add a vital dimension to the overall disease assessment. Driving history should be an integral part of care in patients with MHE. The lack of specific signs and symptoms,the preserved communication skills and lack of insight make MHE a difficult condition to diagnose. Diagnostic strategies for MHE abound,but are usually limited by financial,normative or time constraints. Recent studies into the inhibitory control and critical flicker frequency tests are encouraging since these tests can increase the rates of MHE diagnosis without requiring a psychologist. Although testing for MHE and subsequent therapy is not standard of care at this time,it is important to consider this in cirrhotics in order to improve their ability to live their life to the fullest.

Pancreatic encephalopathy and Wernicke encephalopathy in association with acute pancreatitis: A clinical study

AIM： To investigate clinical characteristics and therapy of pancreatic encephalopathy （PE） and Wernicke encephalopathy （WE）. METHODS： In a retrospective study of 596 patients with acute pancreatitis （AP）, patients with PE were compared to those with WE in regards to history, clinical manifestation, diagnosis, treatment and outcome. RESULTS： There were 93 patients with severe acute pancreatitis （SAP）. Encephalopathies were discovered in 10 patients （1.7%）. Six patients with PE all developed in SAP （6.5%）, and three of them died （3% of SAP, 50% of PE）. Four patients with WE developed in AP （0.7%）, and two of them died （0.3% of AP, 50% of WE）. Two patients with WE were treated with parenteral thiamine and survived. Global confusions were seen in all patients with encephalopathy. Ocular abnormalities were found. Conjugate gaze palsies were seen in 1 of 6 （16.7%） patients with PE. Of 4 patients with WE, one （25%） had conjugate gaze palsies, two （50%） had horizontal nystagmus, three （75%） had diplopia, and one （25%） had myosis. Ataxia was not seen in all patients. None of patients with WE presented with the classic clinical triad. CSF examinations for 2 patients with WE showed lightlyincreased proteins and glucose. CT and MRI of the brain had no evidence of characteristic abnormalities. CONCLUSION： PE occurs in early or reiteration stage of SAP, and WE in restoration stage of SAP/AP. Ocular abnormalities are the hallmarks of WE, and horizontal nystagmus is common. It is difficult to diagnose earlier an encephalopathy as PE or WE, as well as differentiate one from the other. Long fasting, hyperemesis and total enteral nutrition （TPN） without thiamine are main causes of thiamine deficiency in the course of pancreatitis.

Effect of H pylori infection and its eradication on hyperammo-nemia and hepatic encephalopathy in cirrhotic patients

AIM： To investigate the relationship between H pylori infection, blood ammonia concentration and hepatic encephalopathy （HE）, and the effect of Hpylori eradication in cirrhotic patients. METHODS： From July 2003 to January 2005, 457 cirrhotic patients in five regions of Zhejiang Province were enrolled. Patients were evaluated for demographics, number connection test, Hpylori infection, liver impairment, blood ammonia concentration and HE. Patients with Hpylori infection were given I wk therapy with omeprazole plus clarithromycin and tinidazole. ^14C urea breath test was performed and mental symptoms and blood ammonia level were reassessed after RESULTS： Overall H pylori infection rate was 60.6%, and HE occurred in 47.5% of cirrhotic patients. Subclinical HE （SHE） was detected in 55 of 117 cirrhotic patients. Blood ammonia concentration in H pylori negative （n = 180） and positive （n = 277） cirrhotic patients was 53.8 ± 51.4 and 78.4 ± 63.6 μmol/L, respectively （P 〈 0.01）, which was significantly reduced to 53.5 ± 37.7 μmol/L after bacterium eradication （n = 126） （P 〈 0.01）. Blood ammonia was 97.5 ± 81.0 μmol/L in H pylori-positive cirrhotic patients, and this did not significantly change in those with persistent infection after Hpylori eradication （n = 11）. HE was more frequently observed in patients with H pylori infection than in those without （58.5% vs 30.6%, P 〈 0.01）. HE rate significantly dropped to 34.1% after H pylori eradiation （P 〈 0.01）. H pylori prevalence significantly differed among cirrhotic patients with HE （74.4%）, SHE （69.1%）, and those without HE （53.2%） （P 〈 0.05）. Blood ammonia level was significantly different among cirrhotic patients with HE （94.5 ± 75.6 μmol/L）, SHE （59.9 ± 49.2 μmol/L）, and without HE （47.3 ± 33.5 μmol/L） （P 〈 0.05）. Logistic regression analysis showed that blood ammonia concentration, Child-Pugh stage, upper gastrointestinal bleeding, electrolyte disturbance, and urea nitrogen were risk factors for HE. CONCLUSION： H pylori infection is an important factor for inducing high blood ammonia concentration and HE in cirrhotic patients. H pylori eradication may be helpful for treatment and prevention of HE.

Effects of L-carnitine in patients with hepatic encephalopathy

AIM： To evaluate the influence of Locarnitine on mental conditions and ammonia effects on patients with hepatic encephalopathy （HE）. METHODS： One hundred and fifty patients （10 patients with alcoholism, 41 patients with hepatitis virus B infection, 78 patients with hepatitis C virus infection, 21 patients with cryptogenetic cirrhosis） meeting the inclusion criteria were randomized into group A receiving a 90-d treatment with L-carnitine （2 g twice a day） or into group B receiving placebo in double blind. RESULTS： At the end of the study period, a significant decrease in NI-14 fasting serum levels was found in patients with hepatic encephalopathy （P〈0.0S） after the treatment with levocarnitine （LC）. Significant differences were also found between symbol digit modalities test and block design in patients with hepatic encephalopathy （P〈0.0S）. CONCLUSION： Results of our study suggest an important protective effect of L-carnitine against ammonia-precipitated encephalopathy in cirrhotic patients.