Arginine changes in people who develop delirium and thinking problems after surgery
Official title: Are the impairments of arginine metabolism as found in Alzheimer's disease also present in patients developing post-operative delirium and cognitive decline?
Funded at William Beaumont Hospital Research Inst · NIH-11092712 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at whether changes in arginine-related chemicals in spinal fluid are linked to delirium and later thinking problems in older adults having surgery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | William Beaumont Hospital Research Inst NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Royal Oak, United States) |
| Project start | May 15, 2020 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $217,300 |
| NIH project number | 5R33AG067083-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11092712 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are adults (typically older) scheduled for surgery with spinal anesthesia who are willing to give a spinal fluid sample and have cognitive follow-up.
✕Less likely to help
People not having surgery, not receiving spinal anesthesia, or unwilling to provide spinal fluid samples are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
What this research studies
If I am an older adult having surgery with spinal anesthesia, researchers would collect a small sample of my spinal fluid during the procedure. They will measure arginine-related metabolites and proteins in that spinal fluid and compare those levels to markers tied to Alzheimer's disease. Researchers will also track whether I develop postoperative delirium and how my thinking and memory change over time. By linking the biochemical results with clinical outcomes, the team hopes to understand whether arginine metabolism plays a role in delirium and later cognitive decline.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help identify spinal fluid signals that predict who is at risk for delirium or later cognitive decline after surgery, guiding prevention or monitoring.
How similar studies have gone: Early data from the team suggests arginine metabolism in spinal fluid may predict delirium, but the approach remains preliminary and needs confirmation.
Where this research is happening
-
William Beaumont Hospital Research Inst
Royal Oak, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Graham, Stewart F — William Beaumont Hospital Research Inst
- Study coordinator: Graham, Stewart F
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.