Markers of neuronal injury are present after surgery with anesthesia, but the meaning of this is not yet clear.
Researchers are beginning to measure serum proteins consistent with potential neuronal damage in patients with traumatic brain injury, acute ischemic brain injury, and other neurologic disorders. To explore whether anesthesia induces acute neuronal injury, the current investigators examined data on the presence of neurofilament light (NfL) (which is consistent with axonal damage) and tau in two studies of older surgical patients undergoing anesthesia.
The biomarkers were tested at baseline and then postsurgically three or four times through 48 hours in 30 patients (mean age, 69; 59% women), 23 with lower limb surgery (joint arthroplasty, 22) and 7 with major cavity surgery (cardiac surgery, 6). General anesthesia involved either a volatile a…
Reviewing Author
DisclosuresRoyaltiesTextbook of Traumatic Brain Injury, 2nd and 3rd editions
Editorial BoardsUpToDate; Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience
Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesNorth American Brain Injury Association (Board Member); National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (Chair of Data Monitoring Safety Board for study of donepezil on cognition after traumatic brain injury)
DisclosuresRoyaltiesTextbook of Traumatic Brain Injury, 2nd and 3rd editions
Editorial BoardsUpToDate; Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience
Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesNorth American Brain Injury Association (Board Member); National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (Chair of Data Monitoring Safety Board for study of donepezil on cognition after traumatic brain injury)