Pathophysiology-driven neuroimaging: decoding brain injury in sepsis

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Radiology
• Critical Care Medicine

Background:

• Sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) is a severe complication of sepsis, leading to diffuse brain dysfunction.
• SAE is associated with high mortality rates and significant long-term cognitive deficits.
• Pathogenesis involves endothelial activation, blood-brain barrier disruption, neuroinflammation, and neurotransmitter imbalance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements in neuroimaging for SAE.
• To integrate clinical, pathophysiological, and experimental findings.
• To highlight the diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic potential of neuroimaging in SAE.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent literature on neuroimaging in SAE.
• Integration of clinical findings with pathophysiological and experimental evidence.
• Analysis of emerging imaging modalities and their applications.

Main Results:

• Neuroimaging provides critical insights into SAE's pathological features.
• Imaging phenotypes correlate with underlying pathophysiological mechanisms.
• Advances offer tools for early diagnosis and prognostic stratification.

Conclusions:

• Neuroimaging plays a crucial role in understanding and managing SAE.
• Emerging imaging techniques show translational potential for SAE.
• Further research integrating imaging with clinical data is warranted.