Improving anesthesia care for older adults with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias

Perioperative Cognitive Anesthesia Network (PeCAN) Program for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias

NIH-funded research University of Florida · NIH-10800809

This study is looking at how to make anesthesia safer and more effective for older adults with Alzheimer's and similar conditions by understanding how their thinking skills before surgery can impact their recovery afterward, and it aims to help doctors work together to improve care for these patients.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Florida NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Gainesville, United States)
Project IDNIH-10800809 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on enhancing the safety and effectiveness of anesthesia for older adults suffering from Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. It aims to understand how cognitive status before surgery affects post-operative outcomes and to develop better anesthesia practices tailored for these patients. The program will foster collaboration among healthcare providers to raise awareness about cognitive health in older adults undergoing surgical procedures. By integrating cognitive assessments and biomarkers, the research seeks to improve clinical care and outcomes for this vulnerable population.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are older adults, particularly those diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias, who are scheduled for surgical procedures requiring anesthesia.

Not a fit: Patients who are not undergoing any surgical procedures or those without cognitive impairments may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to safer anesthesia practices and improved post-operative outcomes for older adults with cognitive impairments.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has indicated the importance of cognitive status in surgical outcomes, suggesting that this approach could yield significant advancements in patient care.

Where this research is happening

Gainesville, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Alzheimer disease dementia
Last reviewed 2026-06-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.