Treatment helps reduce the toxic chemicals that build up from liver failure. It may include laxatives such as lactulose, which lower the level of ammonia in the blood.

A treatment called branched-chain amino acid therapy has been reported in a few patients to improve symptoms and reverse the brain damage from this condition.

There is no specific treatment for the neurologic syndrome, because it is caused by irreversible liver damage. A liver transplant may cure the liver disease. However, this operation may not reverse the symptoms of brain damage.

This is a long-term (chronic) condition that may lead to irreversible nervous system (neurological) symptoms.

The patient may continue to get worse and may die without a liver transplant. If a transplant is done early in the course of the disease, the neurological syndrome may be reversible.

Complications include:

• Hepatic coma
• Severe brain damage

Call your health care provider if you have any symptoms of liver disease.