Conclusion
Sepsis is often associated with CNS dysfunction that is frequently unrecognized. This dysfunction is not due to direct infection of the CNS, so is better termed ‘sepsis-associated encephalopathy’. An altered mental status may be present in the early stage of sepsis, even preceding common clinical signs of sepsis. EEG and other neurophysiologic techniques may help to detect sub-clinical alterations and to establish clinical outcome. The pathophysiological mechanism of sepsis-associated encephalopathy is not perfectly understood and is very likely multifactorial, involving direct toxicity of microorganisms or byproducts, and the effects of inflammatory mediators, metabolic alterations, and impaired cerebral circulation. There are no specific or symptomatic treatments for sepsis-associated encephalopathy.
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Guidoux, C., Sharshar, T., Annane, D. (2007). Sepsis-Induced Brain Dysfunction. In: Abraham, E., Singer, M. (eds) Mechanisms of Sepsis-Induced Organ Dysfunction and Recovery. Update in Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine, vol 44. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg . https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-30328-6_29
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-30328-6_29
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