With the present study, the authors aim to improve the knowledge of the pathophysiology of ICU-related delirium. In particular, the authors would like to clarify the possible correlation between neuroinflammation, evaluated longitudinally by serum dosage of 20 different neuroinflammation biomarkers, and brain structural and functional alterations (using brain fMRI).

Pathophysiology of delirium is poorly understood; neuroinflammation and brain network disruption are claimed as possible causes of delirium.

The authors want to clarify the role of the alterations of different cellular components of neuroinflammation (neurons, glial cells, and endothelium) in delirium development. Moreover, the authors want to understand whether the neuroinflammation process could cause permanent structural and functional brain damage.

In a nested cross-sectional longitudinal case-control observational study in ICU admitted patients.

The objectives of the studies are as follow: 1) Neuroinflammation biomarkers evaluation in non-neurological ICU patients who develop delirium during ICU-stay (case) compared to matched non-delirious ICU patients (control), and 2) their correlation with brain structural and functional alterations evaluated with a resting-state fMRI protocol and PET.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age>18
• All patients admitted that would be expected to stay in ICU for at least 3 days

Exclusion Criteria:

• Acute neurological condition
• Chronic neurological condition (i.e., seizures, stroke, muscular illness).
• Hematological malignancy or immunological disease.
• Blood transfusion in the last 2 weeks
• Ongoing sedation
• Any condition which contraindicates MRI execution (presence of non-compatible devices or hemodynamic or respiratory instability).

We will enroll 30 critically ill patients in the study (case) matched to 30 controls (see sample size calculation).

The database is in RedCap. We could share all data

Already available