Neurologic Manifestations of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases

Hepatic and gastrointestinal disorders can produce a wide spectrum of neurologic complications both affecting the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system. These manifestations range in severity from coma in acute liver failure and acute pancreatitis, to minor cognitive changes in chronic portosystemic encephalopathy and hepatitis C. Cerebrovascular diseases can complicate hepatitis C infection and inflammatory bowel disease. Demyelinating disorders may co-exist with inflammatory bowel disease. Anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha drugs may induce demyelination. Ataxia may occur in malabsorption syndromes and in gluten related disorders. Characteristic movement disorders are key features of acquired hepatocerebral degeneration and of Whipple disease. Multiple types of neuropathy can be found in association with hepatitis, inflammatory bowel disease and gluten related disorders.