Age-Related Dysbiosis as a Contributing Cause of Delerium
Delirium is an often overlooked topic in aging research, but it is a common occurrence in the elderly, particularly those with neurodegenerative conditions. According to researchers, the aging gut microbiome plays a significant role in the risk of delirium episodes. The balance of microbial populations in the gut changes detrimentally with age, leading to an increase in pro-inflammatory species and a loss of beneficial microbes. Studies have also shown that Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s patients have a different gut microbiome compared to similarly aged individuals without these conditions.
Delirium is a clinical syndrome characterized by an acute change in attention, awareness, and cognition, often observed in older patients during hospitalization for acute medical illness or after surgery. Its pathogenesis is multifactorial and results from the interaction between underlying predisposition and an acute stressor. Various mechanisms, including alterations in brain insulin sensitivity, blood-brain barrier permeability, neurotransmitter imbalances, and neuroinflammation, have been implicated in the pathophysiology of delirium. Interestingly, these mechanisms can be regulated by the gut microbiota, which undergoes significant changes in composition and function with aging.
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 for interventions aimed at delirium prevention and treatment.
