Grant: Doctoral Research Award: Canada Graduate Scholarships

Delirium is an abnormal state of consciousness that often occurs during critical illness. Significant behavioural changes can be seen when a patient is delirious, including confusion, inability to focus, emotional changes, and hallucinations. Up to 80% of patients develop this disorder in the intensive care unit (ICU), despite the fact that many are admitted for reasons unrelated to the brain. Most importantly, delirium's consequences can be long-term, including longer hospital stays, depression, higher mortality rates, and cognitive impairments as severe as mild Alzheimer's disease Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for delirium and the underlying cause is unknown. New research suggests that it is caused by the lack of oxygenated blood delivered to the brain. Without the critical oxygen that it needs, do patients develop delirium? Does a temporary reduction in blood supply lead to permanent changes that cause long-term cognitive impairments? To answer these questions, I will be studying 500 ICU patients across Canada, measuring the amount of oxygenated blood that is delivered to the brain. With this information, I will determine whether low brain oxygenation leads to delirium and cognitive impairments in ICU survivors. I anticipate that those with reduced blood supply will experience delirium more frequently and will have cognitive disturbances after ICU discharge. If true, we can conclude that low brain tissue oxygenation is a significant risk factor, and optimal levels can be targeted in these patients to treat delirium and prevent long-term consequences. Overall, the goal is to discover the underlying cause of delirium. With this knowledge, we will be able to develop treatment and prevention protocols for patients affected by delirium, both in and out of the ICU. This is especially important as treating delirium can significantly improve outcomes and ensure a full recovery to resume a healthy life.