title: A systematic literature review of cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers in delirium.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis has great potential to advance understanding of delirium pathophysiology.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic literature review of CSF studies of DSM or ICD delirium was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 8 studies of 235 patients, delirium was associated with: elevated serotonin metabolites, interleukin-8, cortisol, lactate and protein, and reduced somatostatin, β-endorphin and neuron-specific enolase. Elevated acetylcholinesterase predicted poor outcome after delirium and higher dopamine metabolites were associated with psychotic features.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  No clear conclusions emerged, but the current literature suggests multiple areas for further investigation with more detailed studies.
authors.affiliation: Edinburgh Delirium Research Group, Geriatric Medicine, Division of Health Sciences, School of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, UK. roanna.hall @ ed.ac.uk
authors.forename: Roanna J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: Susan D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Shenkin
authors.forename: Alasdair M J
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Maclullich
mesh_terms: D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003693:Delirium / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000175:diagnosis; D004298:Dopamine / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D011379:Prognosis; D013004:Somatostatin / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D016209:Interleukin-8; D019344:Lactic Acid; D013004:Somatostatin; D001615:beta-Endorphin; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase; D004298:Dopamine; D006854:Hydrocortisone