Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 6, 2026

Analyzing the Permeability of the Blood-Brain Barrier by Microbial Traversal through Microvascular Endothelial Cells
06:26

Analyzing the Permeability of the Blood-Brain Barrier by Microbial Traversal through Microvascular Endothelial Cells

Published on: February 14, 2020

Septic-associated encephalopathy--everything starts at a microlevel

Tarek Sharshar1, Andrea Polito, Anthony Checinski

  • 1Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Raymond Poincaré teaching Hospital and University of Versailles Saint-Quentin en Yvelines, 104 Boulevard Raymond Poincaré, 92380 Garches, France. tarek.sharshar@rpc.aphp.fr

Critical Care (London, England)
|November 12, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Sepsis-associated encephalopathy involves brain inflammation, potentially starting with blood vessel issues. Further research is needed to confirm its presence in patients and explore treatment options.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Critical Care Medicine
  • Pathophysiology

Background:

  • Sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) significantly increases patient mortality and morbidity.
  • The exact mechanisms of SAE are not fully understood, but neuroinflammation is implicated.
  • Evidence suggests a sequence involving endothelial activation, blood-brain barrier changes, and neuronal dysfunction.

Discussion:

  • Microcirculatory dysfunction, stemming from endothelial activation, is a proposed early pathogenic event in SAE.
  • It remains unclear if microcirculatory dysfunction occurs in septic patients.
  • The link between microcirculatory dysfunction and SAE's clinical manifestations requires investigation.

Key Insights:

  • SAE pathophysiology involves neuroinflammation and endothelial activation.
  • Microcirculatory dysfunction is a potential early step in SAE.
  • Clinical relevance and treatability of microcirculatory dysfunction in SAE are unknown.

Outlook:

  • Investigate the presence of microcirculatory dysfunction in septic patients.
  • Determine if microcirculatory dysfunction correlates with SAE clinical features.
  • Explore therapeutic strategies targeting microcirculatory dysfunction for SAE treatment.

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