Neurologic Manifestations of Hepatitis C Virus Infection.

The extrahepatic manifestations of hepatitis C include effects on the central nervous system, which have been associated with the ability of hepatitis C virus (HCV) to replicate in microglial and endothelial cells and the chronic inflammation induced by HCV. HCV can induce impaired neurocognition, which is clinically manifested by impaired quality of life, fatigue, and brain fog. These cognitive defects can be present even in patients with mild histologic HCV and have been confirmed by neurocognitive testing and brain imaging by magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Neurocognitive defects include loss of functioning memory and subtle changes in attention and processing speed.