The role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of delirium and dementia in older adults: a review.
OBJECTIVE
To review recent evidence that suggests inflammation plays a similar role in the pathogenesis of delirium and dementia.


METHODS
We performed a literature search of original research and review articles in PubMed using the keywords: delirium, dementia, and inflammation. We summarized the evidence linking inflammation to the pathogenesis of delirium and dementia.


CONCLUSIONS
Delirium and dementia share similarities in clinical and pathogenic features, leading to the speculation that instead of being distinct clinical entities, the two age-related conditions may be linked by a common pathogenic mechanism. Inflammatory markers have been shown to be elevated in both delirium and dementia, thereby implicating inflammation as a possible mediating factor in their genesis. There is evidence in both basic science and clinical research literature that elevated cytokines play a crucial role in the development of cognitive dysfunction observed in both dementia and delirium.


CONCLUSIONS
Mounting evidence supports the role of inflammation in the development of both dementia and delirium. Further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying these relationships.
Simone
Mark J
MJ
Division of Gerontology, Mount Auburn Hospital, Cambridge, MA, USA. msimone@mah.harvard.edu
Tan
Zaldy S
ZS
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D003693:Delirium / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003704:Dementia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000502:physiology*
D018836:Inflammation Mediators