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.
Copyright © 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel.