A longitudinal study of cerebrospinal fluid beta-endorphin-like immunoreactivity in delirium: changes at the acute stage and at one-year follow-up.
Cerebrospinal fluid beta-endorphin-like immunoreactivity (CSF BLI) was determined on 3 occasions for elderly delirious patients and the BLI levels were compared with age-equivalent controls. Delirious patients showed a significant reduction in the BLI values in the first sample and a declining trend was seen in the follow-up. The results suggest a role for beta-endorphinergic dysfunction in the genesis of some symptoms of delirium, and this dysfunction may be a common phenomenon in various forms of delirium and dementia.
Koponen
H
H
Department of Psychiatry, Kuopio University Central Hospital, Finland.
Riekkinen
J
J
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003693:Delirium / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*
D001615:beta-Endorphin