Contributed by Olga Boukrina, Ph.D., Kessler Foundation Delirium is a multicomponent syndrome produced by a set of unique vulnerabilities (e.g., infection, advanced age, decreased cognitive functioning) and compounding causes (e.g., circadian dysregulation, oxidative stress, neuronal aging). The contribution of each individual factor and their interactions present a complicated picture, but unifying themes in this line […]
Contributed by Flavia Barreto Garcez, MD & Thiago J. Avelino-Silva, MD, PhD, Division of Geriatrics, University of São Paulo Medical School Changes in mental status are common in older adults admitted to both acute and long-term care facilities. Although several neuropsychiatric conditions can be responsible for these alterations, delirium is often a key cause.1,2 In […]
Contributed by Maggie Webb, BA, Research Associate, Marcus Institute for Aging Research, Hebrew SeniorLife We are thrilled to announce that the NIDUS website is now home to a widely used resource in the delirium clinical and research community: the Delirium Bibliography! Specifically designed for busy clinicians, the Delirium Bibliography is your one-stop shop for searching […]
Contributed by Edward R. Marcantonio, MD, SM, Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Director, NIDUS Delirium Research Hub (Research Resources Core) Are you a junior investigator just starting a career in delirium research? An experienced investigator getting into a new area of research, like biomarkers or neuroimaging? Are you interested in publicizing your work, […]
Contributed by Heidi Lindroth, PhD, RN, Postdoctoral Fellow at Indiana University School of Nursing and Indiana University School of Medicine, Center for Aging Research Envision this future for those hospitalized with an acute illness. Early mobilization is the standard of care. Patients use in-bed cycling and play interactive Wii games to maintain strength and recover […]
Contributed by Tatiana Abrantes, BS, Research Assistant, and Annie Racine, PhD, MPA, Postdoctoral Fellow, Marcus Institute for Aging Research, Hebrew SeniorLife Behind many ill patients suffering from delirium is the selfless and inimitable care by a family member, offering support in a variety of ways, whether physically, emotionally or financially. Consider this hospital scene: a […]
Contributed by Nick Bott, Psy.D, from the Clinical Excellence Research Center at the Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA The Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) is a well-established multi-domain nonpharmacological intervention for the prevention of delirium in hospitalized older people.1 Strengths of HELP include its focus on early intervention for delirium prevention, the targeted […]
Contributed by Heidi Lindroth PhD, RN, Postdoctoral Fellow at Indiana University School of Nursing and Indiana University School of Medicine, Center for Aging Research Upwards of 4 million hospitalized adults experience delirium, a form of acute brain failure each year.1-3 The measurement of delirium severity, defined as the intensity of a delirious episode, is growing […]
This post was contributed by Deborah D’Avolio, Ph.D., BC-ACNP, ANP, Associate Professor, Florida Atlantic University The following case study illustrates an example of how delirium can occur in a hospitalized older adult. Mrs. R is a 68-year-old, Italian speaking woman. She was admitted to the oncology unit for ongoing treatment of advanced uterine cancer. Mrs. R lives […]
Contributed by Heidi Lindroth, BSN, RN, PhD Candidate, School of Nursing, Program Assistant, School of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Anesthesiology at The University of Wisconsin-Madison The American Delirium Society (ADS) annual conference was held in June 2018 to share the latest advancements in delirium science. A wide variety of topics from delirium training […]