Brain circuits behind confusion after surgery in early Alzheimer's
Neural Circuits Underlying Post-operative Delirium in Early Stage Alzheimer's Disease
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · NIH-11401193
This project looks at whether activating two tiny brain centers can prevent or shorten sudden confusion after anesthesia in people with early Alzheimer's.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (BOSTON, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11401193 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers will use an Alzheimer's rat model to study how two brainstem regions (the locus coeruleus and ventral tegmental area) influence attention after general anesthesia. Rats will perform a touchscreen attention task so scientists can measure how quickly cognitive function returns and how long confusion-like behavior lasts. The team will use targeted genetic tools to turn those brain regions on or off and compare recovery, pathology, and attention over time. Findings will link brain changes, anesthesia effects, and Alzheimer pathology to point toward ways to reduce postoperative delirium.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with early-stage Alzheimer's disease or mild cognitive impairment who are facing surgery and worried about postoperative confusion would be the most relevant group for future clinical follow-up.
Not a fit: Patients with advanced-stage dementia or those not undergoing surgery are unlikely to gain direct benefits from this preclinical work, and it does not offer immediate treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to prevent or treat postoperative delirium in people with early Alzheimer's, helping them recover clearer and safer after surgery.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has linked these brain regions to attention and anesthesia effects, but using targeted chemogenetics in an Alzheimer's model to address postoperative delirium is largely a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
BOSTON, UNITED STATES
- MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL — BOSTON, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: VINCENT, KATHLEEN FRANCES — MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
- Study coordinator: VINCENT, KATHLEEN FRANCES
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 below.
Conditions: Alzheimer disease dementia, Alzheimer syndrome