Personalized anesthesia care for Asian American patients

Precision medicine for Asian Americans requiring anesthesia

['FUNDING_OTHER'] · STANFORD UNIVERSITY · NIH-11376319

This project tests whether genetic variants common in people of East Asian descent make it harder to clear toxic chemicals produced during surgery, with the goal of making anesthesia safer for Asian American patients.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_OTHER']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorSTANFORD UNIVERSITY (nih funded)
Locations1 site (STANFORD, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11376319 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

Researchers will study genetic differences common in people of East Asian ancestry that affect how the body handles reactive aldehydes produced during surgery. They built a mouse model carrying the human genetic variant that reduces aldehyde breakdown and developed sensitive lab tests to measure these toxic aldehydes. The team will look at how changes in the lipid peroxidation pathway influence organ injury after anesthesia-related stress. Results are intended to point toward strategies that could be translated to patients to lower organ damage during and after surgery.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Adults of East Asian ancestry who are planning surgery or are interested in genetic screening related to aldehyde metabolism would be the most relevant candidates.

Not a fit: People who do not carry the East Asian aldehyde-metabolism variant, who are not of East Asian ancestry, or who are not undergoing surgery are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this work.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: Could enable genetic-based anesthesia approaches that reduce organ injury and improve surgical safety for Asian American patients and potentially others.

How similar studies have performed: Prior animal and human studies link aldehyde metabolism to tissue injury, but applying this knowledge specifically to anesthesia-related organ damage is a newer area of work.

Where this research is happening

STANFORD, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.