The Gut Microbiome as a Source of Sepsis and Brain Dysfunction in Intensive Care Units Research on Human Tissue, Body Fluids, Neuropsychological Testing, and Brain Imaging

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying how reduced complexity of gut bacteria caused by broad spectrum antibiotic treatment affects patients with severe infections or sepsis, focusing especially on the gut microbiome's role in brain dysfunction. This observational study involves critically ill patients receiving intensive care, examining the complex interactions between gut bacteria and the human body to understand impacts on longevity, stress responses, and brain function. The research aims to link changes in the microbiome to short- and long-term brain problems using clinical evaluations, lab tests, and brain imaging. Participants will provide feces, rectal swabs, and blood plasma samples at five time points: on the first day of ICU admission, day 7, day 14, and during follow-up visits at 3 and 6 months after initial inclusion. The study collects clinical data, neuropsychological tests, and brain imaging results such as functional MRI to assess brain dysfunction. Antibiotic treatment status is recorded, comparing patients treated with broad spectrum antibiotics to those without. Daily delirium screening is conducted during ICU stays using established tests, and cognitive function is assessed at hospital discharge with tools like the Montreal Cognitive Assessment and Mini Mental Status Examination. Researchers also analyze immune cell types through advanced genetic techniques and compare blood cell activation between younger and older patients. The main outcome measured is the number of patients experiencing brain dysfunction over 180 days from enrollment.

The Gut Microbiome - Source of Sepsis and Novel Target in Intensive Care Units?