Journal of clinical neurophysiology : official publication of the American Electroencephalographic Society
-
This article serves to (1) review the relationship of the terms "delirium" and "encephalopathy," (2) describe delirium as defined in current diagnostic systems, (3) summarize the epidemiology and theories of pathogenesis, (4) review clinical diagnostic approaches, and (5) highlight the history using EEG in the study of delirium in the psychiatric literature. Delirium is an important medical syndrome with significant implications; there is continued need for better physiologic measures of the underlying brain dysfunction.
-
This review will discuss several intracranial infections and sepsis-associated encephalopathy. Intracranial infections and inflammation of interest to the neurologist and EEG technicians include viral and autoimmune encephalitides; bacterial, fungal, and other meningitides; cerebritis; and brain abscess and subdural empyema. Sepsis-associated encephalopathy refers to a diffuse brain dysfunction secondary to infection that is principally located outside of the central nervous system. ⋯ It probably involves a number of mechanisms that are not mutually exclusive and likely vary from patient to patient. Morbidity and mortality are directly related to the severity of SAE. The earliest features of SAE are delirium and mild EEG slowing; it is crucial to recognize these early features and to search for and treat the underlying infection promptly to reduce mortality and morbidity.