Understanding how anesthesia affects the brain during and after surgery
Causal mechanisms of anesthetic induction and emergence in human cortical organoids
This study is looking at how anesthesia makes you unconscious and how you wake up from it by using tiny brain-like structures made from stem cells, which could help doctors understand and improve the way anesthesia works for patients like you.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10929375 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms behind how anesthesia induces unconsciousness and how patients emerge from it using human cortical organoids, which are brain-like structures created from stem cells. By studying these organoids, researchers aim to clarify the complex interactions in the brain that occur during anesthesia, which can lead to complications like emergence delirium and prolonged recovery times. The findings could help improve anesthesia practices and patient outcomes by providing insights into the brain's response to anesthetic drugs.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals scheduled for surgeries requiring general anesthesia.
Not a fit: Patients who are not undergoing surgery or those who do not require general anesthesia may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to safer anesthesia practices and reduced complications for patients undergoing surgery.
How similar studies have performed: While there has been research on anesthesia effects, this approach using human cortical organoids is relatively novel and aims to provide new insights into the mechanisms involved.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, United States
- University of California Los Angeles — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Toker, Daniel — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Toker, Daniel
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.