Impact of Surgery with General Anesthesia on Cognitive Function in Older Adults
Author Information
Author(s): Jiang Jianjun, Zhang Zhuyun, Zheng Hong, Lu Jian, Li Wei
Primary Institution: KongJiang Hospital of Yangpu District, Shanghai, China
Hypothesis
Older adults who have undergone surgery under general anesthesia may have poorer cognitive function.
Conclusion
Older adults who underwent surgery under general anesthesia had poorer cognitive function, potentially due to the effect of anesthetic drugs on the volume of the right putamen.
Supporting Evidence
- Older adults with surgery under general anesthesia had lower MoCA scores.
- Smaller right putamen volumes were observed in the surgery group.
- Linear regression analysis indicated a direct effect of surgery on cognitive scores.
Takeaway
This study found that older people who had surgery with general anesthesia might think less clearly afterward because the anesthesia could shrink a part of their brain called the putamen.
Methodology
The study included 194 older adults divided into two groups: those who had surgery under general anesthesia and a control group. Participants underwent clinical evaluations, neuropsychological testing, and MRI.
Potential Biases
Potential confounding factors related to surgery types and patient health conditions may introduce bias.
Limitations
The study is cross-sectional, has a relatively small sample size, and does not account for various confounding factors such as different types of surgery and anesthetic drugs.
Participant Demographics
Older adults aged 55 and above, matched for age, sex, and education.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p=0.030
Confidence Interval
95% CI: not specified
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website