Investigating the link between hidden brain changes and confusion after surgery in older adults
Official title: Preoperative Occult Neurodegeneration and Postoperative Delirium
Funded at Brigham and Women's Hospital · NIH-11020958 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how changes in the brain might cause confusion after surgery in older adults, and it aims to help improve recovery for these patients by checking their brain health before and after their operations.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | March 15, 2022 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $873,104 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG071741-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11020958 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 non-cardiac surgical procedures.
✕Less likely to help
Patients under the age of 65 or those not undergoing surgery may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how hidden neurodegenerative changes in the brain may contribute to confusion, known as delirium, that often occurs after surgery in older adults. The study will involve evaluating older surgical patients before their procedures for any cognitive impairments and then monitoring them after surgery for signs of delirium and longer-term cognitive decline. Researchers will use advanced blood tests and brain imaging techniques to identify neurodegeneration and neural injury. By uncovering these connections, the research aims to improve outcomes for older patients undergoing surgery.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better prevention and treatment strategies for delirium in older surgical patients, potentially reducing the risk of long-term cognitive decline.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that understanding the relationship between neurodegeneration and postoperative outcomes can lead to significant advancements in patient care, suggesting that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Crosby, Gregory — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Crosby, Gregory
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.