Investigating postoperative delirium and memory issues using aged nonhuman primates
Official title: A Nonhuman Primate Model for Postoperative Delirium and Working Memory Impairment
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-10891346 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how surgery-related confusion, known as postoperative delirium, might be linked to Alzheimer's disease by observing older monkeys and how they react to certain anesthetics, which could help us understand these issues better in people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $199,190 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AG077275-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10891346 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults undergoing surgical procedures who may be at risk for postoperative delirium.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not undergoing surgery or who are not at risk for delirium or Alzheimer's disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to create a new model using aged nonhuman primates to study postoperative delirium (POD) and its connection to Alzheimer's disease. By observing delirium-like behaviors and conducting invasive neural recordings, researchers hope to gain insights into the mechanisms behind POD. The study will utilize anesthetics like sevoflurane and propofol to explore their effects on memory and behavior in these primates. This approach allows for a more relevant understanding of how these conditions may develop in humans, paving the way for future clinical applications.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment strategies for patients at risk of developing Alzheimer's disease after surgery.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using nonhuman primate models for studying neurological conditions, indicating potential success for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Xie, Zhongcong — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Xie, Zhongcong
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Lipocalin-2 and delirium after surgery in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias
A study at Duke University looks at how an inflammatory protein called lipocalin-2 may trigger delirium after surgery, especially in people at risk for Alzheimer’s and related dementias.
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Commercialization of an EEG-guided anesthesia system to reduce delirium in older adults and those at risk for Alzheimer’s
A new wireless EEG-guided anesthesia system aims to reduce postoperative delirium in seniors and people with or at risk for Alzheimer’s by personalizing brain monitoring during surgery.
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Delirium after surgery and its link to Alzheimer's and related dementias
This project looks at why older adults and people with or at risk for Alzheimer's can get delirium after surgery and how that might increase later dementia risk.
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Intraoperative EEG-Guided Anesthesia to Reduce Delirium in Older Adults and Those with Alzheimer’s or Related Dementias
A new system uses brainwave monitoring during surgery to tailor anesthesia and reduce delirium risk in older patients and those with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias.
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Understanding how blood biomarkers link delirium after surgery to Alzheimer’s disease
This study tests whether blood markers of Alzheimer's disease can predict and explain delirium after surgery in older adults.
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Neuroinflammation, Protective Brain Scaffolds, and Delirium After Surgery
This project looks at why older people often get delirium after surgery and how brain tissues called perineural nets might influence this, with the goal of improving outcomes for people at risk of Alzheimer’s-related conditions.
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.