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Published on: October 20, 2016
Serum biomarkers for delirium
Edward R Marcantonio1, James L Rudolph, Deborah Culley
1Division of General Medicine and Primary Care, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02446, USA. emarcant@bidmc.harvard.edu
Summary
This review explores serum biomarkers for diagnosing and monitoring delirium. Identifying reliable biomarkers may clarify delirium
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Delirium is a common, serious condition in older adults, often associated with poor outcomes.
- Current diagnostic methods for delirium lack objective biological markers.
- Understanding delirium's pathophysiology is crucial for effective management and prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and categorize serum biomarkers for delirium diagnosis and monitoring.
- To explore the potential of various serum markers in understanding delirium.
- To discuss future research directions for delirium biomarker discovery.
Main Methods:
- Narrative review of existing literature on serum biomarkers for delirium.
- Categorization of biomarkers into risk, disease, and end-product markers.
- Examination of specific biochemical and genetic markers.
Main Results:
- Serum biomarkers for delirium can be classified as risk, disease, or end-product markers.
- Risk markers include serum chemistries and genetic factors.
- Disease markers encompass anticholinergic activity, amino acids, melatonin, cytokines, cortisol, and gene expression; neuronal injury markers are end products.
Conclusions:
- Accurate serum biomarkers are needed for improved delirium diagnosis and monitoring.
- Biomarkers may elucidate the pathophysiology of delirium and its link to dementia.
- Further research and methodological advancements are essential for validating delirium biomarkers.
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