Genetics of drowsiness in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU)

Delirium describes a state of confusion. People with delirium cannot think clearly. They have a hard time paying attention. They may not understand what is going on around them. They may also see or hear things that are not there. People who are in the hospital sometimes get delirium. Two out of three patients in the intensive care unit, or ICU, get delirium. Experts think that a change in the way the brain works may cause delirium. Many things may change the way the brain works. These include less oxygen to the brain, severe pain, infections and certain medications. Alcohol, pain killers, or drugs that make you sleepy can affect the brain. Withdrawal from any of these drugs may also change how the brain works. Delirium is different from dementia. It often comes on in hours or days. It does not last long, a few days to a week. It is also temporary. Dementia often develops over months or years. And it is permanent. People who have dementia may also get delirium. But, delirium does not cause dementia. Scientists think that gene changes may play a role in who is at risk for getting delirium. We are born with these gene changes. We all have gene changes. It is what makes us unique. Researchers at Vanderbilt will use BioVU to see if certain genes affect who gets delirium. They will find patients who were in the ICU. They will look for patients who did and did not get delirium. Then they will for a link between the gene changes and delirium. The goal is to learn more about the gene changes and who might get delirium. Their results may help us know who is at risk for delirium. We hope it will also help us better understand delirium.