Cognitive brain function is subclinically impaired in patients with chronic hepatitis C - does hepatitis C affect the brain?

hepatitis.In 7 out of 9 patients who were followed during antiviral combination treatment, P300 latency was improved after 12 weeks (345:'::29 ms) as compared to baseline (363:'::48 ms, p=0.08).In conclusion, patients with chronic HCV infection in the absence of cirrhosis exhibit a subclinical neurophysiological impairment.Cerebral function, however, seems to normalize with antiviral treatment.Our data might indicate a direct action of HCV infection on the brain.