The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences
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This narrative review examines serum biomarkers for the diagnosis and monitoring of delirium. Serum biomarkers for delirium fall into three major groups: 1) those that are present or elevated prior to disease onset-risk markers, 2) those that rise with onset and fall with recovery-disease markers, and 3) those that rise in proportion to the consequences of disease-end products. As risk markers, we examine serum chemistries and genetic risk markers. ⋯ As end products of delirium, we examine markers of neuronal injury. Finally, we discuss methodological and biostatistical considerations for future biomarker studies. Identifying accurate biomarkers for delirium may shed further light into its pathophysiology and on the interrelationship between delirium and dementia.
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J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci. · Dec 2006
Comparative StudyDoes educational attainment contribute to risk for delirium? A potential role for cognitive reserve.
The objective of this study was to determine if level of educational attainment, a marker of cognitive reserve, was associated with the cumulative risk of delirium among hospitalized elders. ⋯ Hospitalized older persons with low educational attainment are at increased risk for delirium relative to persons with more education. This finding may have implications for the role of cognitive reserve in characterizing individual differences in risk for delirium.