It is widely accepted that inflammation plays some role in the progression of chronic neurodegenerative diseases such as AD (Alzheimer's disease), but its precise role remains elusive. It has been known for many years that systemic inflammatory insults can signal to the brain to induce changes in CNS (central nervous system) function, typically grouped under the syndrome of sickness behaviour. These changes are mediated via systemic and CNS cytokine and prostaglandin synthesis. When patients with dementia suffer similar systemic inflammatory insults, delirium is a frequent consequence. This profound and acute exacerbation of cognitive dysfunction is associated with poor prognosis: accelerating cognitive decline and shortening time to permanent institutionalization and death. Therefore a better understanding of how delirium occurs during dementia and how these episodes impact on existing neurodegeneration are now important priorities. The current review summarizes the relationship between dementia, systemic inflammation and episodes of delirium and addresses the basic scientific approaches currently being pursued with respect to understanding acute cognitive dysfunction during aging and dementia. In addition, despite there being limited studies on this subject, it is becoming increasingly clear that infections and other systemic inflammatory conditions do increase the risk of AD and accelerate the progression of established dementia. These data suggest that systemic inflammation is a major contributor to the progression of dementia and constitutes an important clinical target.
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August 2011
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Conference Article|
July 20 2011
Systemic inflammation and delirium: important co-factors in the progression of dementia
Colm Cunningham
Colm Cunningham
1
1School of Biochemistry and Immunology and Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Republic of Ireland
1email colm.cunningham@tcd.ie
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Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Received:
January 19 2011
Online ISSN: 1470-8752
Print ISSN: 0300-5127
© The Authors Journal compilation © 2011 Biochemical Society
2011
Biochem Soc Trans (2011) 39 (4): 945–953.
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Received:
January 19 2011
Citation
Colm Cunningham; Systemic inflammation and delirium: important co-factors in the progression of dementia. Biochem Soc Trans 1 August 2011; 39 (4): 945–953. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/BST0390945
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