Dexmedetomidine improves sleep quality and alleviates emotional dysfunction by attenuating α-synuclein deposition in mice with sepsis-associated encephalopathy

We have identified details related to poor sleep quality in sepsis, and these changes promote α-synuclein deposition in the brain and have a negative impact on the prognosis of SAE. Furthermore, dexmedetomidine confers the novel effect of facilitating α-synuclein elimination beyond its sedative effect. These findings highlight the pivotal role of sleep quality in pathological process of SAE, while suggesting that α-synuclein may serve as a promising therapeutic target for SAE.