A group of medical doctors here said they have identified the mechanism causing delirium, or sudden severe confusion and rapid changes in brain function that occur in physical or mental illness, a first internationally.

According to professor Kim Jae-jin and his team at Gangnam Severance Hospital, one of the main mechanisms causing the mental disease is the incongruity of the basal ganglion of the cerebrum and the midbrain. Lack of congruity allows only one of them to operate actively to cause the problems, the doctors said. The basal ganglion of cerebrum controls the visual and acoustic reflex as well as consciousness.

The second incongruity takes place when the link between the cover of the frontal lobe and the cortex at the center of the brain breaks down. The frontal lobe is responsible for reasoning and the cortex takes over cognitive function maintenance.

The doctors’ finding came after studying brain fMRI results of 22 delirium patients and another 22 non-patients.

“If treated in the early stage, delirium is treatable. But it is easily mistaken for dementia. That’s why you need professional help,” Kim said.

The report was published for the American Journal of Psychiatry’s May edition.

(baejisook@heraldcorp.com)