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Ticinesi A, Parise A, Nouvenne A, Cerundolo N, Prati B, Meschi T. The possible role of gut microbiota dysbiosis in the pathophysiology of delirium in older persons. MICROBIOME RESEARCH REPORTS 2023; 2:19. [PMID: 38046817 PMCID: PMC10688815 DOI: 10.20517/mrr.2023.15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Delirium is a clinical syndrome characterized by an acute change in attention, awareness and cognition with fluctuating course, frequently observed in older patients during hospitalization for acute medical illness or after surgery. Its pathogenesis is multifactorial and still not completely understood, but there is general consensus on the fact that it results from the interaction between an underlying predisposition, such as neurodegenerative diseases, and an acute stressor acting as a trigger, such as infection or anesthesia. Alterations in brain insulin sensitivity and metabolic function, increased blood-brain barrier permeability, neurotransmitter imbalances, abnormal microglial activation and neuroinflammation have all been involved in the pathophysiology of delirium. Interestingly, all these mechanisms can be regulated by the gut microbiota, as demonstrated in experimental studies investigating the microbiota-gut-brain axis in dementia. Aging is also associated with profound changes in gut microbiota composition and functions, which can influence several aspects of disease pathophysiology in the host. This review provides an overview of the emerging evidence linking age-related gut microbiota dysbiosis with delirium, opening new perspectives for the microbiota as a possible target of interventions aimed at delirium prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Ticinesi
- Microbiome Research Hub, University of Parma, Parma 43124, Italy
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma 43126, Italy
- Geriatric-Rehabilitation Department, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, Parma 43126, Italy
| | - Alberto Parise
- Geriatric-Rehabilitation Department, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, Parma 43126, Italy
| | - Antonio Nouvenne
- Microbiome Research Hub, University of Parma, Parma 43124, Italy
- Geriatric-Rehabilitation Department, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, Parma 43126, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Cerundolo
- Geriatric-Rehabilitation Department, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, Parma 43126, Italy
| | - Beatrice Prati
- Geriatric-Rehabilitation Department, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, Parma 43126, Italy
| | - Tiziana Meschi
- Microbiome Research Hub, University of Parma, Parma 43124, Italy
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Parma 43126, Italy
- Geriatric-Rehabilitation Department, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, Parma 43126, Italy
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