How anesthesia can affect memory and thinking after surgery
Official title: The roles of anesthetics and neuroimmune interactions in postoperative cognitive dysfunction
Funded at Columbia University Health Sciences · NIH-11374157 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research looks at how common anesthetic drugs might lead to memory, attention, or thinking problems after surgery, especially in babies and older adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2019 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $452,375 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM131765-08 |
| Project ID | NIH-11374157 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People most likely to benefit are older adults and infants at higher risk for memory or attention problems after receiving general anesthesia for surgery.
✕Less likely to help
People who do not receive general anesthesia or whose cognitive problems are caused by unrelated medical conditions may not benefit from this work.
What this research studies
The team uses advanced lab techniques to see how common anesthetic drugs change brain cells and circuits that support memory and attention. They focus on overactive neurons in the prefrontal cortex and long-range inputs from the hippocampus that may signal early cognitive changes after anesthesia. The researchers will also study how astrocytes (brain support cells) respond to GABA-acting anesthetics and whether changing those responses can protect thinking. Most experiments use lab models with specialized imaging and genetic tools to identify targets that could prevent postoperative cognitive problems.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to prevent or reduce memory and thinking problems after anesthesia.
How similar studies have gone: Prior animal and laboratory studies have shown that anesthesia can alter brain circuits and glial cell function, but translating those findings into human treatments is still limited.
Where this research is happening
-
Columbia University Health Sciences
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yang, Guang — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Yang, Guang
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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.