Spinal fluid and blood tests to understand delirium and thinking problems after surgery
Examining CSF and Blood Biomarkers to Gain Insight into Postoperative Delirium and Neurocognitive Dysfunction
This project looks at spinal fluid and blood markers from adults having surgery to learn why some develop delirium and longer-term thinking problems.
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 ID | NIH-11309642 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If I join, researchers will collect blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples during and after surgery and measure markers like beta-amyloid, tau, signs of blood-brain barrier damage, and inflammation. They will take these measurements at multiple times to see how levels change over days to months. My thinking and memory will be tested before and after surgery and during follow-up to link the lab markers with changes in cognition. The team will combine the biological data with clinical information to look for patterns that explain who develops delirium or lasting cognitive problems.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults scheduled for surgery who can provide blood and CSF samples and agree to cognitive testing before and after their operation.
Not a fit: People who are not having surgery, cannot undergo lumbar puncture, or are unwilling to complete follow-up testing are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This work could help doctors predict, monitor, or eventually prevent delirium and longer-term cognitive decline after surgery using blood or spinal fluid tests.
How similar studies have performed: Animal and some human studies support parts of the hypothesis, but collecting serial CSF around surgery in patients is relatively new and not yet widely tested.
Where this research is happening
Stanford, United States
- Stanford University — Stanford, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Brown, Charles Hugh — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Brown, Charles Hugh
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.