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Liver Transplant Does it Affect the Brain

Evaluation of The Association Between Cognitive Dysfunction and Brain Cellular Damage During Liver Transplantations

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04368052
Enrollment
33
Registered
2020-04-29
Start date
2018-02-27
Completion date
2020-01-03
Last updated
2020-04-30

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Brain Damage, Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein, Neuron Specific Enolase, Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction

Keywords

Liver transplantation, Neuronal damage, Brain, Biochemical marker, Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction

Brief summary

Neuronal damage caused by neuroinflammation in patients undergoing major surgery is the most determinant factor of postoperative cognitive disfunction (POCD). Neuronal damage can be detected through the measurement of biochemical markers of brain damage. The aim of this study was to evaluate neuronal damage and its association with POCD during liver transplantations. After the approval of the ethics committee and patient consents, preoperative and postoperative cognitive functions of 33 patients undergoing liver transplantation (LTx) were measured using the Mini Mental Test (MMT) whereas simultaneous neuronal damage was evaluated through the measurement of S-100 beta (S100β), Neuron specific enolase (NSE) and Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) levels. As a result, there was no statistically significant difference between preoperative and postoperative MMTs. However, there was a statistically significant decrease in postoperative GFAP and a statistically significant increase in NSE compared to preoperative values. The decrease in S100β level was statistically insignificant. In conclusion, neuroprotective approaches in the investigator's anesthesia protocol protect patients from brain damage during liver transplantation and prevent the development of POCD, which was indicated by the insignificant change in MMT scores and S100β level and the significant decrease in GFAP. Since the significant increase in NSE levels during liver transplantations was deemed to might have been associated with causes other than neuronal damage, NSE should not be evaluated as a marker of brain damage in these operations.

Interventions

DIAGNOSTIC_TESTMini Mental Test (MMT), S-100 beta, Neuron specific enolase and Glial fibrillary acidic protein

Patients undergoing liver transplantation (LTx) were measured using the Mini Mental Test (MMT) whereas simultaneous neuronal damage was evaluated through the measurement of S-100 beta (S100β), Neuron specific enolase (NSE) and Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) levels.

Sponsors

Ege University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
DIAGNOSTIC
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
20 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Score of 23 or above on the Mini Mental Test (MMT) conducted in the preparation room prior to the operation, * No gastrointestinal bleeding in the last 1 month * No history of neuroactive drug use * Consented for the study.

Exclusion criteria

* Hepatic encephalopathy, * Neurological disorder * Psychiatric disorder,

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Neuron specific enolase (NSE)Throughout the operationNSE should not be evaluated as a marker of brain damage in liver transplantations.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
S-100 beta (S100β), and Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)Throughout the operationNeuroprotective approach protects patients from brain damage during liver transplantation and prevent the development of POCD, which was indicated by the insignificant change in MMT scores and S100β level and the significant decrease in GFAP.

Countries

Turkey (Türkiye)

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026