The results suggest that MHE and a reduction in appetite are associated with deterioration in HRQL in patients with decompensated cirrhosis.

Background: Dementia is increasing worldwide. No effective medication is currently available for the treatment of the underlying disease and accompanying behavioral symptoms. Cannabinoids might have a beneficial effect, but clinical studies with (low-dose) synthetic THC have not been conclusive. Objective: To test the acceptability, practical aspects, and clinical outcomes of the introduction of a THC/CBD-based oral medication in severely demented patients in a specialized nursing home in Geneva. Methods: This was a prospective observational study. Results: Ten female demented patients with severe behavior problems received oral medication with on average 7.6 mg THC/13.2 mg CBD daily after 2 weeks, 8.8 mg THC/17.6 mg CBD after 1 month, and 9.0 mg THC/18.0 mg CBD after 2 months. The THC/CBD-based oil was preferred. Neuropsychiatric Inventory, Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory score, and a behavior problem visual analog scale decreased by 40% after 2 months, rigidity score by 50%. Half of the patients decreased or stopped other psychotropic medications. The staff appreciated the decrease in rigidity, making daily care and transfers easier, the improved direct contact with the patients, the improvement in behavior, and the decrease in constipation with less opioids. There was no withholding of the medication for reasons of side effects, and the effects persisted after 2 months. Conclusions: An oral cannabis extract with THC/CBD, in higher dosages than in other studies, was well tolerated and greatly improved behavior problems, rigidity, and daily care in severely demented patients.

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This project showed nutritional education as an effective strategy to improve primary alterations in liver function associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in obese children who had NAFLD in Mexico. Researchers evaluated the effect of a 4-month nutritional counseling program on hepatic abnormalities associated with NAFLD in 46 participants. They attended nutrition counseling sessions with their parents or guardians every 15 days during the intervention. Body mass index (BMI) decreased in 93.5% of children, and ALT (alanine aminotransferase) levels decreased in 87%. Simultaneously, BMI, ALT, and AST (aspartate aminotransferase) decreased in 38 of 46 participants (82.6%).