Current opinion in neurology
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Septic encephalopathy is a frequent complication in severe sepsis, the pathogenesis and mechanisms of which are not fully understood. Here, we review recent advances in our understanding of septic encephalopathy, from molecular mechanisms to behavioral alterations, from diagnostic tools to potential therapeutic agents. ⋯ Septic encephalopathy is a dynamic disease caused by a complex network of systems and pathways going awry. More insights into the pathogenesis of septic encephalopathy are expected to lead to new cellular and molecular targets, which in turn will permit design of specific septic encephalopathy-alleviating drugs and prevent its negative influence on survival.