The effects of general anesthesia on brain development in young children
Official title: General Anesthesia During Early Childhood and Brain Development
Funded at University of Iowa · NIH-10641652 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how having general anesthesia as a young child might affect brain development and thinking skills later on, by comparing teens who had anesthesia with those who didn't, to see if there are any differences in their brain structure and abilities.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Iowa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Iowa City, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2018 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $581,042 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD089420-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10641652 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents who received general anesthesia during early childhood.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not undergone general anesthesia in early childhood may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how general anesthesia (GA) during early childhood may impact brain development and cognitive abilities later in life. By comparing adolescents who underwent GA as children with those who did not, the study aims to assess changes in brain structure and function using advanced imaging techniques. Researchers will evaluate brain tissue volume, white matter integrity, and cognitive performance through various tests. The goal is to better understand the potential long-term effects of GA on learning and memory.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved guidelines for the use of anesthesia in young children, potentially safeguarding their cognitive development.
How similar studies have gone: While there is substantial evidence from animal studies regarding the neurotoxic effects of GA, this research aims to fill a gap in human data, making it a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Iowa
Iowa City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Block, Robert I — University of Iowa
- Study coordinator: Block, Robert I
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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.