Investigating NeuroinflammaTion UnderlyIng Postoperative Brain Connectivity Changes, POCD, Delirium in Older Adults

(From NIH reporter) Each year >16 million older Americans undergo anesthesia and surgery, and up to 40% of these patients develop postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD), a syndrome of postoperative thinking and memory deficits. Although distinct from delirium, POCD (like delirium) is associated with decreased quality of life, long term cognitive decline, early retirement, increased mortality, and a possible increased risk for developing dementia such as Alzheimer's disease. Understanding the etiology of POCD will likely help promote strategies to treat and/or prevent it. A dominant theory holds that brain inflammation causes POCD, but little work has directly tested this theory in humans. The preliminary data of this team strongly suggest that there is significant postoperative neuro-inflammation in older adults who develop POCD. In this K76 award, the investigators will prospectively obtain pre- and post-operative cognitive testing, fMRI imaging and CSF samples in 200 surgical patients over age 65. This will allow the investigators to evaluate the role of specific neuro-inflammatory processes in POCD and its underlying brain connectivity changes.