Delirium is a temporary but serious disturbance in mental function, caused by factors such as infections, injuries, or substance abuse, which leads to confusion and disorientation. It affects about seven million hospitalized patients annually in the U.S., often resulting in prolonged hospital stays, cognitive impairments, increased mechanical ventilation use, and a higher risk of death. A recent study by the Regenstrief Institute and universities of South Carolina and Indiana examined the effectiveness of commonly used blood pressure medications, specifically ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers, in preventing ICU-acquired delirium. Researchers found that chronic use of these drugs for at least six months before ICU admission did not significantly reduce the prevalence of delirium, regardless of patient demographics or pre-existing conditions. The study involved 4,791 patients and concluded that these medications did not provide enough neuroprotective benefits. Previous studies, including one from 2018, have similarly suggested that antipsychotic drugs do not shorten delirium duration. In pursuit of alternative therapies, the researchers are collaborating with Mayo Clinic to investigate a music intervention aimed at reducing delirium in mechanically ventilated patients. Their long-term goal is to explore how aging-related biological processes contribute to delirium and dementia.
