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Review
. 2011 Oct;17(5):506-13.
doi: 10.1111/j.1755-5949.2010.00173.x. Epub 2010 Jun 11.

The role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of delirium and dementia in older adults: a review

Mark J Simone  1 , Zaldy S Tan
Affiliations
Review

The role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of delirium and dementia in older adults: a review

Mark J Simone et al. CNS Neurosci Ther. 2011 Oct.

Abstract

Aims: 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.

Discussion: 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.

Conclusion: 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.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflict of interest.

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