Research Projects

Sarcopenia, marked by a decline in skeletal muscle mass and function, is increasingly recognized in critical care, particularly in Neuro-ICUs where immobility, inflammation, and catabolism worsen muscle loss. Despite its clinical significance, sarcopenia remains underdiagnosed due to a lack of feasible diagnostic tools. Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), characterized by acute neuromuscular weakness and frequent ICU stays, provides a unique model for studying sarcopenia's progression. Understanding the interplay between autonomic dysfunction and muscle loss using biomarkers can improve early detection and targeted interventions, reducing ICU-related morbidity. This study aims to assess the incidence and severity of sarcopenia in GBS using body composition analysis, ultrasound, autonomic function testing, and biochemical biomarkers. It will explore sarcopenia’s progression using markers such as heart rate variability (HRV), pupillometry, and biochemical indicators like cystatin C, inflammatory markers, and nutritional scores (PNI, CONUT). The study will also examine associations between sarcopenia and clinical outcomes, including ICU stay duration, mechanical ventilation days, and mortality. The hypothesis is that sarcopenia in GBS correlates with autonomic dysfunction and inflammatory markers, and early detection using an integrated model can improve patient outcomes. The study will conduct body composition analysis (BCA) using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) for muscle mass and fat distribution and muscle ultrasound to measure rectus femoris muscle thickness and cross-sectional area. HRV monitoring will assess autonomic balance, while pupillometry will evaluate pupil dynamics. Blood samples will be analyzed for biomarkers including cystatin C, CRP, IL-6, and lipid profiles, alongside nutritional scores derived from routine laboratory tests. The expected significance of this research lies in its potential to create an integrated, non-invasive diagnostic model that combines autonomic, biochemical, and nutritional markers to predict sarcopenia progression. This framework could enable cost-effective and scalable diagnostics for critically ill patients, reshaping sarcopenia management in Neuro-ICUs, reducing ICU stays, and lowering healthcare costs on a global scale. Findings could be extended to other critical care populations, driving innovations in personalized critical care management.