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Two SCCM-Weil Research Grants of $50,000 each are awarded annually to SCCM members for research to be carried out in basic, translational, or clinical research.
This proposal focuses on increasing understanding of the complex pathophysiologic mechanisms, and specifically persistent inflammation, contributing to ICU delirium. Identifying mechanisms that contribute to ICU delirium can provide information crucial to improving the outcome profile for ICU survivors. Our preliminary data and reports in the literature have identified a prolonged inflammatory state associated with ICU delirium. Additionally, we have found select inflammatory genes may have distinct methylation patterns, indicating low level expression, related to ICU delirium early after ICU admission. We hypothesize that there is variable inflammatory gene methylation during critical illness and, in addition, distinct inflammatory gene methylation profiles characteristic to patients who develop ICU delirium. Identification of these profiles will clarify time dependent changes in inflammatory status important for brain function and recovery. The aims of this project will identify changes in select inflammatory gene methylation during the first 10 days after ICU admission, and the specific changes occurring before and during ICU delirium. This project capitalizes on the experience and expertise of a multi-disciplinary investigative team including representation from the fields of nursing, genetics, statistics and critical care medicine.