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A systematic literature review of cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers in delirium
Roanna J Hall1, Susan D Shenkin, Alasdair M J Maclullich
1Edinburgh Delirium Research Group, Geriatric Medicine, Division of Health Sciences, School of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, UK. roanna.hall @ ed.ac.uk
Background:
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis has great potential to advance understanding of delirium pathophysiology.
Methods:
A systematic literature review of CSF studies of DSM or ICD delirium was performed.
Results:
In 8 studies of 235 patients, delirium was associated with: elevated serotonin metabolites, interleukin-8, cortisol, lactate and protein, and reduced somatostatin, β-endorphin and neuron-specific enolase. Elevated acetylcholinesterase predicted poor outcome after delirium and higher dopamine metabolites were associated with psychotic features.
Conclusions:
No clear conclusions emerged, but the current literature suggests multiple areas for further investigation with more detailed studies.
