Integrative analysis of lncRNA and mRNA and profiles in postoperative delirium patients

Delirium is a common serious complication that often occurs after major surgery. However, there is little known about the function of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in postoperative delirium (POD). The goals of this study were to explore the expression profiles and functional networks of lncRNAs and mRNAs in patients of POD. Microarray analysis was performed on the peripheral blood samples to identify differentially expressed (DE) lncRNAs and mRNAs in 4 POD patients and 4 control volunteers. DE lncRNAs and mRNAs were validated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Bioinformatic analyses were performed to identify the critical biological functions and signalling pathways involved in POD and to identify the functional networks formed between DE mRNAs and lncRNAs.