Low brain changes from anesthesia may signal early Alzheimer's risk
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 Stanford University · NIH-11528116 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2022 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $498,875 |
| NIH project number | 7R01AG073598-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11528116 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults aged 65 and older who are undergoing surgery and may have preclinical signs of Alzheimer’s disease.
✕Less likely to help
Those without preclinical brain changes or who are not undergoing surgery may not benefit.
What this research studies
Older adults undergoing surgery may experience delirium, and this study asks if unusual brain activity after anesthesia can flag preclinical Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers will examine brain biomarkers, including amyloid deposits, and how they relate to anesthesia-induced brain responses. The goal is to identify a potential early marker that could help predict delirium risk and guide care before dementia symptoms arise.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to earlier identification of people at risk for delirium and Alzheimer's pathology, enabling proactive management around surgery.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research suggests brain responses to anesthesia may reflect underlying brain health, but this approach is novel in linking preclinical AD markers to anesthetic responses.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Berger, Miles — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Berger, Miles
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
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.
-
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.
-
How genes and inflammation may raise risk for delirium and Alzheimer's in older adults
This project looks at whether older adults with higher genetic risk for Alzheimer's plus inflammation from events like surgery or infection are more likely to get delirium, faster memory decline, or dementia.
-
Arginine changes in people who develop delirium and thinking problems after surgery
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.
-
Investigating brain responses to anesthetics in older adults at risk for Alzheimer's disease
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.
-
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.