Investigating brain responses to anesthetics in older adults at risk for Alzheimer's disease
Official title: Low Neurophysiologic Resistance to Anesthetics as a Marker of Preclinical/Prodromal Alzheimer's Disease and Neurovascular Pathology, Delirium risk and Inattention
Funded at Duke University · NIH-11080931 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how brain activity changes when older adults are given anesthesia, to see if it can help spot early signs of Alzheimer's disease and identify those who might be at risk for confusion after surgery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2022 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $646,571 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG073598-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11080931 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults aged 65 and above who are scheduled for surgery and may have early signs of Alzheimer's disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients under the age of 65 or those without any signs of cognitive decline or Alzheimer's disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how changes in brain activity in response to anesthetics may indicate early signs of Alzheimer's disease in older adults. It examines the relationship between amyloid beta deposits in the brain and the risk of developing delirium after surgery. By analyzing brain responses during anesthesia, the study aims to identify markers that could help predict which patients are at higher risk for cognitive decline. This could lead to better preoperative assessments and tailored interventions for older surgical patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could help identify older adults at risk for Alzheimer's disease and improve their surgical outcomes by minimizing the risk of delirium.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that monitoring brain activity in response to anesthetics can provide insights into cognitive health, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable findings.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Devinney, Michael Joseph — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Devinney, Michael Joseph
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Low brain changes from anesthesia may signal early Alzheimer's risk
A study at Stanford will look at whether brain responses to anesthesia during surgery reveal early brain changes linked to Alzheimer’s disease and delirium risk in people aged 65 and up.
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Brain circuits behind confusion after surgery in early Alzheimer's
This project looks at whether activating two tiny brain centers can prevent or shorten sudden confusion after anesthesia in people with early Alzheimer's.
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Delirium after surgery and its link to Alzheimer's and related dementias
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How genes and inflammation may raise risk for delirium and Alzheimer's in older adults
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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.
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Investigating how sleep disturbances may predict delirium and Alzheimer's disease after heart surgery
This study is looking at how sleep problems might affect the chances of developing confusion or Alzheimer's disease in older adults who are having heart valve surgery, and it aims to help doctors better care for these patients by tracking their sleep and thinking skills before and after the surgery.
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.