Confusion pathophysiology
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Pathophysiology
Confusion is commonly used term for any altered mental status, inability to pay attention or making decisions. Confusion is seen in various conditions and caused by many drugs and poisons. Various theories are postulated for development of confusion.
- Lesions involving the ascending reticular activating system causes disturbance in arousal.
- Lesions involving non-dominant frontal and parietal lobes causes disturbance in attention.
- Lesions of the cortex will cause disturbance in insight and judgement capacity of the individual.
Delirium is a type of confusional state which develops suddenly and causes rapid changes in brain function.
- Disturbance in global function of brain leads to delirium. It is valid for the confusion caused by various kinds of drugs and poisons.
- Certain diseases and strokes cause confusion.There are evidences to support sub cortical mechanism for confusion.[1]
- Certain drugs have anticholinergic properties which at higher doses or in elderly can impair brain function.[2]
- In conditions like fever, post surgical recovery states cytokine activation may be the cause for confusion
References
- ↑ Trzepacz PT (1994). "The neuropathogenesis of delirium. A need to focus our research". Psychosomatics. 35 (4): 374–91. doi:10.1016/S0033-3182(94)71759-X. PMID 7916159.
- ↑ Mach JR, Dysken MW, Kuskowski M, Richelson E, Holden L, Jilk KM (1995). "Serum anticholinergic activity in hospitalized older persons with delirium: a preliminary study". J Am Geriatr Soc. 43 (5): 491–5. PMID 7730529. Unknown parameter
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