Neuroimmune Mechanisms Transforming Acute Injury to Long-Term Brain Dysfunction After Sepsis

Sepsis is frequently accompanied by acute brain dysfunction. Sepsis survivors commonly experience multifaceted symptoms of brain injury, including cognitive and mental health disorders. Systemic and neuroinflammatory changes during and after sepsis have been reported in clinical and preclinical studies, including glial activation, metabolic and oxidative stress, vascular injury and barrier dysfunction, and brain invasion of circulating inflammatory cells and signals. These processes may lead to dysfunction through a common pathway of synapse loss and brain circuit disruption. Further investigation is needed both to understand the relationship between acute brain injury in sepsis and long-term brain dysfunction and to develop treatments for survivors.