 Advances in critical care have led to improved survival among those admitted to intensive care units ICUs. However, survival is lower among those who develop ICU delirium, and the quality of life among survivors may be affected by post-ICU long-term cognitive impairment CI that lasts months to years. Long-term CI has been studied predominantly following cardiopulmonary bypass. In the much larger group of medical and general surgical ICU patients, the extent of this problem and its relationship to health-related quality of life is poorly characterized. Evidence from 6 pilot cohorts including our own totaling 300 patients suggests that an astonishing 30 to 80 of ICU survivors experience long-term CI functionally equivalent to mildmoderate dementia although it may not be progressive and thus will be referred to as long-term CI. Interestingly, this cognitive impairment arises independent of severity of illness, and older patients appear particularly prone. Our work and the work of others have shown that delirium is a major independent risk factor for impaired cognitive function at hospital discharge and increased mortality at 6 months. While it is not clear whether delirium itself is injurious to the brain or is simply a marker of brain injury, it is clear that the onset of delirium in the ICU should not be considered innocuous; rather, it may be a determinant of long-term CI and health-related quality of life. Having spent the last 8 years studying delirium and drug exposure during acute phases of critical illness and long-term CI after hospitalization, the investigators are thoroughly prepared to continue the next phases of investigation in VA Department of Veterans Affairs patients, many of whom are older and disproportionately at risk for adverse outcomes following ICU care. 