# The Role of 17β-Estradiol in Delirium

> **NIH NIH R21** · CEDARS-SINAI MEDICAL CENTER · 2024 · $250,500

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
Delirium is frequently precipitated by urinary tract infection (UTI), a condition that
disproportionately affects older women and contributes to increased mortality, prolonged length
of stay, and accelerated long-term cognitive decline. Existing treatments for delirium center
largely on treatment of the precipitating cause, modification of environmental contributors, and
avoidance of deliriogenic medications; however, do not address the underlying pathobiology of
the condition.
We have developed a novel mouse model of UTI-induced delirium and generated compelling
preliminary data that demonstrate a potential role for exogenously administered 17β-estradiol in
mitigating UTI-induced delirium. These findings may explain, at least in part, why older women,
who after menopause have reduced levels of 17β-estradiol, are particularly susceptible to
developing delirium.
In this R21 application, we propose to use our novel mouse model of urinary tract infection-
induced delirium, oophorectomized mice, state-of-the-art behavioral testing, and genetically
modified mice to determine whether 17β-estradiol ameliorates the structural and functional
phenotypes of delirium via the G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1. Given the lack of
evidence-based pharmacological treatments for delirium, the findings from this research could
have widespread clinical implications, including providing novel pre-clinical justification for
clinical trials using a short-term application of an existing drug, 17β-estradiol, to ameliorate UTI-
induced delirium and quality of life for millions of older women around the world.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10811731
- **Project number:** 5R21AG079010-02
- **Recipient organization:** CEDARS-SINAI MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Shouri Lahiri
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $250,500
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-04-01 → 2025-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10811731

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10811731, The Role of 17β-Estradiol in Delirium (5R21AG079010-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-30 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10811731. Licensed CC0.

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