Protecting the brain from damage caused by anesthesia in young children
Mitochondrial Protection to Prevent Neurobehavioral Changes after Postnatal Anesthesia
This study looks at how general anesthesia might affect the brains of babies and young kids, possibly causing problems with their behavior and thinking later on, and it aims to find ways to protect them from these effects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wake Forest University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Winston-Salem, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10839967 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how general anesthesia can negatively affect the developing brains of infants and young children, potentially leading to long-term behavioral and cognitive issues. The study uses a nonhuman primate model to explore the effects of anesthesia on mitochondrial health and brain structure. By understanding these impacts, the researchers aim to identify protective treatments that could mitigate the harmful effects of anesthesia exposure in early life.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are infants and young children who are scheduled to undergo multiple anesthesia procedures.
Not a fit: Patients who have not undergone anesthesia or those who are older than 4 years may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to strategies that prevent cognitive and emotional impairments in children who require anesthesia.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies in animal models have shown promising results in understanding the neurotoxic effects of anesthesia and potential protective measures.
Where this research is happening
Winston-Salem, United States
- Wake Forest University Health Sciences — Winston-Salem, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Baxter, Mark G — Wake Forest University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Baxter, Mark G
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 below.