Confronting the Neurocognitive Toll of Sepsis Survivors

Cognitive impairments tend to persist among survivors of sepsis long after discharge, and may involve memory, attention, and executive function. These deficits are driven by chronic sequelae of neuroinflammation, blood-brain barrier breakdown, and an extended period of delirium in critical illness. Although post-intensive care syndrome is increasingly acknowledged, cognitive recovery is not systematically assessed during follow-up. This Perspective emphasises the crucial importance of early recognition of cognitive impairment, the use of multidisciplinary rehabilitation, and the incorporation of screening for cognitive dysfunction in post-ICU care to ensure that sepsis care becomes concerned not only with survival but also with the restoration of neurocognitive well-being.