Neuroinflammation, Protective Brain Scaffolds, and Delirium After Surgery
Official title: Neuroinflammation, Perineural Nets, and Postoperative Delirium
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11345862 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $791,588 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG082975-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11345862 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Older adults undergoing surgery, especially those at risk for delirium or cognitive decline.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without surgical planning or without risk factors for delirium may not be directly impacted.
What this research studies
Older adults face a higher risk of delirium after surgery, which can worsen brain health and may be linked to later Alzheimer’s-related changes. The study focuses on neuroinflammation and a special brain ECM structure called perineural nets to understand their role in postoperative delirium. Researchers plan to examine how glial cells, microglia, and these ECM components interact, using animal data and human-relevant models to explore mechanisms that could be targeted in future therapies. The work aims to identify whether preserving or restoring perineural nets could reduce delirium and long-term cognitive decline after surgery.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to strategies that lower delirium risk and protect brain health in older adults undergoing surgery, potentially reducing progression to Alzheimer’s-related conditions.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work suggests neuroinflammation and extracellular matrix components influence delirium, but this study investigates perineural nets as a novel mediator, with early animal data supporting potential benefit.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shen, Shiqian — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Shen, Shiqian
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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Integrated Brain State Monitor to Help Personalize Anesthesia and Prevent Delirium in Older Adults
A new, brain-monitoring system aims to personalize anesthesia care for older adults and people at risk for Alzheimer's, with the goal of reducing postoperative delirium.
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.