There’s good news and bad news about surgery under general anesthesia. Anesthesiologists have been debating the effects or surgical anesthetics on brain function for years. Some research suggests that cognitive dysfunction is a temporary consequence of anesthesia. Other studies indicate that the brain problems may last longer. Certain physicians have worried that surgery with general anesthesia could boos the risk of Alzheimer disease.
How Does Anesthesia Affect the Risk of Alzheimer Disease?
A new study from the Mayo Clinic indicates that older adults undergoing surgery with general anesthesia experienced some measure of cognitive decline (British Journal of Anaesthesia, online March 10, 2020). At the same time, the cerebral cortex became thinner.
The scientists reported that finding last year (British Journal of Anaesthesia, Dec. 2019). At that time, they reported no link between prior surgery with general anesthesia and brain infarcts. These tiny blood clots in the brain can cause cognitive impairment, although they are different from Alzheimer disease. Still, older adults contemplating surgery should feel somewhat reassured that there is no connection with infarcts.
Cognitive decline is worrisome. On the other hand, the researchers did not find any evidence of an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease. In particular, they saw no increased deposits of amyloid plaques, which are a marker of Alzheimer’s pathology.
Reassuring News:
The authors of this study published in the British Journal of Anaesthesia reassure their medical colleagues that surgery with general anesthesia is not related to Alzheimer disease. They do acknowledge, however, that such procedures may be linked to modest cortical thinning in the brain and slightly accelerated cognitive decline over time.
Some readers have reported experiencing brain fog, insomnia or confusion following surgery with anesthesia. You can read their stories here. If you have had surgery with general anesthesia and want to share your experience, add your comment below.
