Recent advances in the study of sepsis-induced depression.

Progress in medicine such as the use of anti-infective drugs and development of the advanced life support equipment has greatly improved the survival rate of patients with sepsis. However, the incidence of sepsis-related diseases is increasing. These include severe neurologic and psychologic disorders, cognitive decline, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Cerebral dysfunction occurs via multiple interacting mechanisms, with different causative pathogens having distinct effects. Because sepsis-related diseases place a substantial burden on patients and their families, it is important to elucidate the underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms to develop effective treatments.