Cholesterol and brain health in liver cirrhosis leading to hepatic encephalopathy
Official title: Role of cholesterol in the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy
Funded at University of Texas at Austin · NIH-11394432 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers will study how cholesterol in the brain may contribute to brain problems seen in people with liver cirrhosis and hepatic encephalopathy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas at Austin NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Austin, United States) |
| Project start | September 5, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,109,955 |
| NIH project number | 4R01DK135995-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11394432 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants include adults with liver cirrhosis and hepatic encephalopathy, or individuals with related liver conditions, who could contribute brain or blood samples and may be eligible for future trials.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without advanced liver disease or hepatic encephalopathy may not directly benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This project looks at how liver cirrhosis affects brain chemistry, focusing on cholesterol balance and how it might drive neurological symptoms in hepatic encephalopathy. The team will use models of liver cirrhosis to examine brain cholesterol and neurosteroid production, testing a central hypothesis that cholesterol buildup disrupts brain function during HE. Results could reveal new targets to reduce brain injury and improve quality of life for patients with advanced liver disease. The study builds on prior findings in acute liver failure and aims to translate those insights to cirrhosis-related HE.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new strategies to prevent or lessen brain complications in people with liver cirrhosis and hepatic encephalopathy.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work showed cholesterol involvement in HE during acute liver failure; this proposal tests whether a similar mechanism applies to cirrhosis-related HE.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas at Austin
Austin, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Demorrow, Sharon — University of Texas at Austin
- Study coordinator: Demorrow, Sharon
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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How cholesterol affects brain problems from cirrhosis
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Investigating how gut bacteria affect brain function in liver disease
This study is looking at how gut bacteria might affect brain function in people with liver disease, specifically those with and without symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy, to find new ways to help improve their health.
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Investigating how cholesterol affects brain function in liver disease
This study is looking at how cholesterol levels in the brain might affect brain problems in people with liver cirrhosis, hoping to find new ways to help those who are dealing with these serious issues.
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Coil-assisted small-diameter stent shunt reduction for refractory HE after TIPS
A coil-assisted, small-diameter covered-stent technique is being tested to see if it can safely and effectively reduce shunt flow and lessen recurrent hepatic encephalopathy in people with a prior TIPS.
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Fecal transplant plus standard therapy for refractory hepatic encephalopathy after TIPS
This study tests whether adding fecal microbiota transplantation to usual medicines helps people with recurrent hepatic encephalopathy after TIPS implant.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.