Abstract

The proposed research investigate the mechanisms underlying neurologic impairment and social adjustment and role performance in alcoholics. Specifically, the type and severity of liver disease in alcoholics will be evaluated histologically and biochemically with respect to magnitude and specific manifestation of neurologic deficit measured by neuropsychological test, clinical neurologic examination and in a subset of cases, by magnetic resonance imaging. These studies will clarify the extent to which an hepatic encephalopathy and the particular intrinsic pathologic concomitants of hepatic disease determine the neurologic sequelae of alcoholism. A second study will evaluate the effects of orthotopic hepatic transplantation on recovery of neurologic impairment and improvement in psychosocial adjustment of alcoholics. These results will provide important new information regarding whether concerted medical management of alcoholic liver disease can augment the rehabilitation of alcoholics.

  Funding Agency

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
2R01AA006601-04A1
Application #
3109784
Study Section
Alcohol Biomedical Research Review Committee (ALCB)
Project Start
1985-02-01
Project End
1992-03-31
Budget Start
1989-04-01
Budget End
1990-03-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
1989
Total Cost
Indirect Cost

  Institution

Name
University of Pittsburgh
Department
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
053785812
City
Pittsburgh
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
15213

  Publications

Tarter, R E (1998) Quality of life following liver transplantation. Hepatogastroenterology 45:1398-403
Panzak, G; Tarter, R; Murali, S et al. (1998) Isometric muscle strength in alcoholic and nonalcoholic liver-transplantation candidates. Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse 24:499-512
Tarter, R E; Panzak, G; Switala, J et al. (1997) Isokinetic muscle strength and its association with neuropsychological capacity in cirrhotic alcoholics. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 21:191-6
Tarter, R E; Switala, J; Lu, S et al. (1995) Abstracting capacity in cirrhotic alcoholics: negative findings. J Stud Alcohol 56:99-103
Salem, O; Dindzans, V J; Freeman, J et al. (1994) Liver transplantation following preoperative closure of intrapulmonary shunts. J Okla State Med Assoc 87:53-5
Trzepacz, P T; Tarter, R E; Shah, A et al. (1994) SPECT scan and cognitive findings in subclinical hepatic encephalopathy. J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci 6:170-5
Kahn, D; Gavaler, J S; Makowka, L et al. (1993) Gender of donor influences outcome after orthotopic liver transplantation in adults. Dig Dis Sci 38:1485-8
Van Thiel, D H; Dindzans, V J; Schade, R R et al. (1993) Prophylactic versus emergency sclerotherapy of large esophageal varices prior to liver transplantation. Dig Dis Sci 38:1505-10
Tarter, R E; Switala, J; Plail, J et al. (1992) Severity of hepatic encephalopathy before liver transplantation is associated with quality of life after transplantation. Arch Intern Med 152:2097-101
Stauber, R E; Mochizuki, T; Van Thiel, D H et al. (1992) The use of quantitative scintigraphy in the measurement of portal-systemic shunting in rats. Ann Nucl Med 6:209-14

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