Personalized anesthesia monitoring to prevent post-op cognitive problems in older adults
Official title: Developing a novel system combining cognitive assessment with PASCALL FDA-cleared intraoperative anesthesia EEG brain monitor to prevent postoperative neurocognitive disorders in aging patients
Funded at Pascall Systems, Incorporated · NIH-11400076 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new approach combines an FDA-cleared brain-monitoring device with a quick in-hospital cognitive check to tailor anesthesia and reduce delirium and memory problems in people 65 and older.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Pascall Systems, Incorporated NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 30, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $999,317 |
| NIH project number | 5R42AG084399-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11400076 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults aged 65 and older undergoing surgery with general anesthesia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not undergoing surgery or those with short procedures may see limited benefit.
What this research studies
If you’re 65 or older and need surgery, this project aims to pair a wireless brain-monitor with a memory/attention test that can be done around the time of surgery. The goal is to identify who is at higher risk for postoperative cognitive issues and adjust anesthesia in real time to prevent them. Researchers will develop a perioperative cognitive test battery (pMiND) and integrate it with the Pascall M0 EEG monitor to guide care during and after surgery. This work builds on an FDA-cleared device and focuses on improving outcomes for elderly patients by reducing under- or over-sedation. The study plans to translate these tools into routine anesthesia practice to protect long-term brain health."
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, older patients could experience fewer cognitive problems after surgery and a smoother recovery.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work with brain monitoring and perioperative care has shown promise in reducing cognitive complications, but integration with cognitive testing is a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Pascall Systems, Incorporated
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Le Mau, Tuan — Pascall Systems, Incorporated
- Study coordinator: Le Mau, Tuan
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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.