Definition of Hepatocerebral degeneration:

Hepatocerebral degeneration is a brain disorder that occurs in people with liver damage.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

This condition may occur in any case of acquired liver failure, including severe hepatitis.

Liver damage can lead to the buildup of ammonia and other toxic materials in the body. This happens when the liver doesn't work properly to break down and eliminate these chemicals. The toxic materials can damage brain tissue.

Specific areas of the brain, such as the basal ganglia, are more likely to be injured from liver failure. The basal ganglia help control movement. This condition is the "Non-Wilsonian" type. This means that the liver damage is not caused by copper deposits in the liver, which is a key feature of Wilson's disease.