The chief symptom of encephalopathy is an altered mental state. People may experience progressive memory loss and decline in cognitive ability. They may become confused, disoriented and forgetful. Subtle personality changes may emerge, and patients may experience lethargy, inability to concentrate and progressive loss of consciousness.

Other symptoms include:

• Dementia
• Loss of speech or swallowing ability
• Hallucinations
• Muscle atrophy and weakness
• Myoclonus (involuntary muscle twitching)
• Nystagmus (involuntary eye movement)
• Seizures
• Tremors

When these symptoms emerge, people are urged to seek immediate medical care.