Understanding how brain circuits contribute to delirium after surgery in older adults with Alzheimer's disease
Official title: Neural Circuits Underlying Post-operative Delirium in Early Stage Alzheimer's Disease
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-10754277 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain brain areas in older adults, especially those with Alzheimer's, are affected by anesthesia and how this might lead to confusion after surgery, with the hope of finding ways to help prevent this issue in patients at risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | December 15, 2022 |
| Project end | November 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $135,118 |
| NIH project number | 5K99AG076877-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10754277 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are elderly individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease who are scheduled for surgery.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without Alzheimer's disease or those not undergoing surgical procedures may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the neural circuits involved in postoperative delirium (POD), a serious complication that affects elderly patients, particularly those with Alzheimer's disease. By studying specific brain regions that are impacted by Alzheimer's and influenced by anesthesia, the research aims to understand how these factors contribute to attention deficits and delirium. Using a rodent model, the study employs advanced techniques to assess cognitive recovery after anesthesia, which may provide insights into the mechanisms of POD. The findings could lead to potential interventions to prevent or mitigate delirium in at-risk patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing postoperative delirium in older adults with Alzheimer's disease.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of this research is novel, previous studies have indicated that understanding neural mechanisms can lead to breakthroughs in managing postoperative complications.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vincent, Kathleen Frances — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Vincent, Kathleen Frances
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Low brain changes from anesthesia may signal early Alzheimer's risk
A study at Stanford will look at whether brain responses to anesthesia during surgery reveal early brain changes linked to Alzheimer’s disease and delirium risk in people aged 65 and up.
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Brain circuits behind confusion after surgery in early Alzheimer's
This project looks at whether activating two tiny brain centers can prevent or shorten sudden confusion after anesthesia in people with early Alzheimer's.
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Delirium after surgery and its link to Alzheimer's and related dementias
This project looks at why older adults and people with or at risk for Alzheimer's can get delirium after surgery and how that might increase later dementia risk.
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How genes and inflammation may raise risk for delirium and Alzheimer's in older adults
This project looks at whether older adults with higher genetic risk for Alzheimer's plus inflammation from events like surgery or infection are more likely to get delirium, faster memory decline, or dementia.
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Arginine changes in people who develop delirium and thinking problems after surgery
This project looks at whether changes in arginine-related chemicals in spinal fluid are linked to delirium and later thinking problems in older adults having surgery.
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Investigating brain responses to anesthetics in older adults at risk for Alzheimer's disease
This study is looking at how brain activity changes when older adults are given anesthesia, to see if it can help spot early signs of Alzheimer's disease and identify those who might be at risk for confusion after surgery.
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.