Title:The Role of Statins in the Management of Delirium: Recent Advances
Volume: 20
Issue: 3
Author(s): Junhui Chen, Yuhai Wang, Ximin Hu, Mingchang Li, Kun Xiong, Zhaocai Zhang*Qianxue Chen*
Affiliation:
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310009,China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060,China
Keywords:
Delirium, statins, systemic neuroinflammation, neurotransmitters, cerebral hypoperfusion, microthrombosis, pathophysiological
events, inflammation.
Abstract: Delirium is a clinical syndrome characterized by a temporary organic mental disorder, as
well as abnormal attention and cognition. It is a very common, serious, and costly disease with high
misdiagnosis and death/disability rates, especially for older patients after surgery. Several factors, such
as systemic neuroinflammation, neurotransmitters, cerebral hypoperfusion and microthrombosis, contribute
to the progress of delirium; however, the exact pathophysiologic mechanisms are not well
known. Therefore, there are no specific therapeutic approaches that can treat delirium effectively.
Statins, as inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, have been
identified as potential medications for the treatment of delirium because they can significantly reduce
the incidence of delirium. The major objective of the current review is to summarize recent advances
in the understanding of the effects and mechanisms of statins on delirium. In basic research, statins can
alleviate delirium via attenuation of neuroinflammation, neurotransmitters, cerebral hypoperfusion,
and microthrombosis, which may highlight their potential clinical application for the treatment of delirium.
Despite this, the clinical effects of statins still provoke debate.
