DELIRIUM - CURRENT STATE-OF-ART

Delirium is the most common acute organic psychosis, which occurs more frequently in the elderly. The mortality is high. Nevertheless, the k nowledge of delirium is limited because the lack of intensive research on delirium. In this report the recent literature is reviewed with sp ecial regard to psychopathology, pathogenesis, epidemiology, diagnosti cs, and therapy. There is no uniform pathogenesis. Imbalance of neurot ransmitters, hormones and electrolytes are probably important factors in the pathogenesis of delirium. However, the relationships are very c omplex and remain to be elucidated. Probably rebound phenomena play a role in the development of deliria due to substance withdrawal. In bra in or somatic disorders cerebral metabolic changes are believed to be the main cause of delirium.