Preface.- Foundation of the 'International Society of Hepatic Encephalopathy and Nitrogen Metabolism' (ISHEN).- I. Physiology and pathophysiology of astrocytes.- Water transport in the brain: basic concepts and astrocyte swelling.- Osmotic and Oxidative stress in hepatic encephalopathy.- NADPH oxidase is a major source of swelling-induced generation of reactive oxygen species in rat astrocytes.- Detoxification of hydrogen peroxide by astrocytes.- Glutamate release from astrocytes, impact on neuronal function.- Hepatic stellate cells and astrocytes both star-shaped but not next of kin.- Localization and function of the ATP -binding cassette C (ABCC/MRP) efflux pumps in human brain.- Glial mechanism of axomal growth protection from ammonia.- Selenoprotein P: a link between liver and brain.- II Pathogenesis of HE.- The peripheral benzodiazepine receptor and neurosteroids in the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy and ammonia neurotoxicity.- Glutamatergic synaptic regulation deficit in liver failture: A review of molecular mechanisms.- Synaptic plasticity in animal models relevant for hepatic encephalopathy.- NMDA receptors in hyperammonemia and hepatic encephalopathy.- Prehepatic portal hypertension and mitochondrial dysfunction in brain hipppo-campus.- Nuclear magnetic resonance studies in experimental animal models of hepatic encephalopathy.- The role of inflammation in hepatic encephalopathy.- III. Brain imging in HE research.- Altered neural oscillations and synchronization: a pathophysiological hallmark of hepatic encephalopathy.- Neurotransmitter receptor alterations in hepatic encephalopathy.- Quantitiative T1 and water content mapping in hepatic encephalopathy.- Central nervous system involvement in Hepatitis C virus infection: what to measure?.- Localized MR-correlated spectroscopy using two spectral dimensions: Theoretical description and pilot investigation in hepatic encephalopathy.- IV. New aspects of nitrogen metabolism.- Urea cycle disorders.-The pathophysiology of citrin deficiency.- Hepatic encephalopathy in organic acidurias - Hyperammonemia and energy failure.- Glutamine synthetase deficiency in the human.- Hepatic dysfunction and encephalopathy in inborn errors of metabolism.- Amino acids and mTOR-dependent signalling.- Ceramide is a negative regulator of insulin action, nutrient uptake and protein synthesis in cultured rat skeletal muscle cells.- Ammonia transport in aquaporins - Molecular mechanicsm and clinical relevance.- Glutamine synthetase as a target of ß-catenin: New insights into hepatic heterogeneity.- Ammonia metabolism in liver cirrhosis.- V. Clinical assissment of HE.- Definition and assessment of low grade hepatic encephalopathy.- Hepatic encephalopathy in acute liver failure.- Quality of life in chronic liver diseases and in hepatic encephalopathy.- Hyponatremia: A risk factor of hepatic encephalopathy in cirrhosis.- Neuropsychological dysfunction in minimal hepatic encephalopathy: a review compared with own experience.- Computerised or paper and pencil psychometric tests for the assessment of hepatic encephalopathy?.- Neuropsychological basis of critical flicker frequency analysis (CFF).- Critical assessment of the PHES-test in patients with low grade hepatic encephalopathy.- VI. Treatment.- Evidence-based medicine and treatment of hepatic encephalopathy.- Brain acute liver failure edema in: Mechanisms and therapeutical options.- Hepatic encephalopathy and artificial liver support.- Prometheus(R) - A new extracorporeal system for the treatment of liver failure.- Modulation of intestinal flora for the treatment of hepatic encephalopahty in cirrhosis.- Prevention of post-TIPS hepatic encephalopathy.- Milestones in HE research.- Group picture.- Index