Sepsis-Associated Encephalopathy as a Target for Neurological Biomarker Discovery

Sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) is a pervasive complication of systemic infection, marked by acute disturbances in brain function without direct central nervous system infection. Despite its frequency and significant association with higher mortality, prolonged intensive care stays, and persistent neurocognitive impairment, the diagnosis of SAE remains challenging. Current clinical approaches rely largely on non-specific bedside neurological assessments, routine EEG, and standard neuroimaging, none of which offer definitive diagnostic power. As research efforts intensify, there is growing recognition of SAE’s heterogeneous pathogenesis, involving immune, metabolic, and microcirculatory mechanisms; yet, a lack of reliable, validated biomarkers continues to hinder progress in understanding, diagnosing, and treating this syndrome.Recent studies have begun to spotlight a range of neurobiomarkers, including proteins derived from biofluids such as neurofilament light chain, S100B, GFAP, and UCH-L1, as well as systemic and CNS-specific inflammatory mediators. Technological advancements have also spawned the use of non-invasive neurophysiological (e.g., quantitative EEG, event-related potentials) and neuroimaging techniques (e.g., diffusion, perfusion, and connectivity MRI) to capture distinct aspects of SAE pathophysiology. Nevertheless, there is an unmet need for comprehensive research to validate these biomarkers, establish standardized protocols, determine optimal detection windows, and integrate findings across fundamental and translational contexts. The complexity of SAE underscores the necessity for a multidisciplinary approach that merges laboratory science with clinical practice.This Research Topic aims to accelerate the identification, validation, and clinical translation of innovative biomarkers for SAE. By focusing on the integration of multimodal biomarker strategies and standardizing measurement and reporting, the goal is to overcome diagnostic ambiguity, enable early disease detection, improve differential diagnoses, and ultimately inform personalized neuroprotective and sepsis management strategies. Researchers are encouraged to address prevailing gaps and controversies, test emerging hypotheses regarding biomarker utility, and provide large-cohort validation studies. Through comprehensive investigation and collaboration, this topic seeks to pave the way for future diagnostic and therapeutic breakthroughs in SAE.To gather further insights in the rapidly evolving landscape of SAE biomarkers, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:• Blood and CSF-derived biomarkers reflecting neuronal and astrocytic injury• Systemic and CNS-specific inflammatory mediators and their roles in SAE pathogenesis• Markers of blood-brain barrier disruption and cerebral energy metabolism• Neurophysiological and advanced neuroimaging biomarkers for SAE detection and monitoring• Integration of multimodal biomarker data and analytics• Protocol standardization in biomarker measurement and timing• Large-scale cohort validation and outcome prediction studies• Translational approaches bridging laboratory findings and clinical practice• Potential for biomarkers to guide individualized interventions in SAE Topic editors: Qin Zhang, Elias Manjarrez, Xiao Ran Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/76807/sepsis-associated-encephalopathy-as-a-target-for-neurological-biomarker-discovery