Persistent neurocognitive deficits in cognitively impaired survivors of sepsis are explained by reductions in working memory capacity

GND
125249632X
Zugehörigkeit
Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital - Friedrich Schiller University
Kattlun, Fabian;
GND
1331838142
Zugehörigkeit
Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital - Friedrich Schiller University
Hertel, Elizabeth;
GND
130166030
Zugehörigkeit
Center for Sepsis Control and Care, Jena University Hospital - Friedrich Schiller University
Geis, Christian;
GND
13575710X
Zugehörigkeit
Center for Sepsis Control and Care, Jena University Hospital - Friedrich Schiller University
Scherag, André;
GND
1164177575
Zugehörigkeit
Center for Sepsis Control and Care, Jena University Hospital - Friedrich Schiller University
Wickel, Jonathan;
GND
1217345191
Zugehörigkeit
Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital - Friedrich Schiller University ,Jena ,Germany
Finke, Kathrin

Introduction: Sepsis is defined as life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. Mounting evidence suggests that many cognitively impaired sepsis survivors show long-term neurocognitive deficits in neuropsychological tasks. To date, the underlying mechanisms of these deficits are insufficiently understood. Based on previous evaluations we hypothesized that visual attention and working memory may be affected in a sample of cognitively impaired sepsis survivors.

Methods: We utilized psychophysical whole-and partial-report paradigms based on the computational theory of visual attention (TVA) to determine (i) whether sepsis survivors show changes in basic parameters of visual attention and working memory, (ii) whether the affected parameters are related to neuropsychological test results in a standard battery in sepsis survivors and matched healthy control participants, (iii) whether between-group differences in these basic parameters of visual attention could account for underperformance of sepsis survivors in neuropsychological tests when adjusting for potentially relevant clinical variables.

Results: We showed that, in sepsis survivors, the maximum number of elements consciously maintained in an instant, i.e. the working memory storage capacity K , is reduced (sepsis survivors: M  = 3.0; healthy controls: M  = 3.4). Moreover, K explained variance in neurocognitive outcomes –17% in attentional and 16 % in executive functions – in a standard neuropsychological battery. The association remained stable when adjusting for clinical variables.

Discussion: Thus, in our sample of cognitively impaired sepsis survivors, a reduction in working memory capacity seems to be a critical determinant of the neurocognitive sequelae. It should be the subject of future work on mechanisms but may also serve as surrogate outcome measure in interventional studies.

Zitieren

Zitierform:
Zitierform konnte nicht geladen werden.

Rechte

Rechteinhaber: Copyright © 2024 Kattlun, Hertel, Geis, Scherag, Wickel and Finke.

Nutzung und Vervielfältigung: