Breaking barriers in postoperative delirium

Systemic perturbations such as peripheral surgical trauma induce neurovascular, inflammatory, and cognitive changes. The bloodebrain barrier is a key interface between the periphery and the central nervous system, and is critically involved in regulating neuroimmune interactions to maintain overall homeostasis. Mounting evidence suggests that bloodebrain barrier dysfunction is a hallmark of ageing and multiple neurological conditions including Alzheimer's disease. We discuss a recent study published in the British Journal of Anaesthesia that describes bloodebrain barrier changes and neuroinflammation in patients with postoperative delirium after non-intracranial surgery.

Automated summary

Systemic perturbations induce neurovascular, inflammatory, and cognitive changes. Dysfunction of the blood-brain barrier is a hallmark of aging and various neurological conditions.