Study in mice suggests post-surgical delirium caused by inflammation

alzheimers
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Alzheimer’s disease patients who undergo orthopedic or other surgeries frequently develop post-surgical delirium, often leading to a poor recovery and a higher risk of dying.

The cause of this acute disruption in the patient’s mental status is largely unknown, but previous studies have suggested a link to some intrinsic response to surgical trauma itself, the multifaceted perioperative environment, and patient-specific factors that altogether contribute to post-surgical delirium.

In a study using mice led by Duke Health researchers, a new finding suggests that inflammation, especially as it impacts the blood-brain in older and more frail subjects, amplifies…

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