Understanding how surgery and anesthesia affect delirium in older adults with Alzheimer's disease
Official title: Postoperative Delirium and Alzheimer's Disease Related Dementias
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-10565910 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how surgery and anesthesia might cause confusion and memory problems in older adults, especially those at risk for Alzheimer's, to help find better ways to prevent and treat these issues after surgery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | April 15, 2019 |
| Project end | February 28, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $591,323 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG062509-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10565910 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults, particularly those aged 65 and above, who are undergoing surgical procedures requiring general anesthesia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are younger than 21 years old or those not undergoing surgery are unlikely to benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between postoperative delirium (POD) and Alzheimer's disease-related dementias (ADRD) in older adults. It aims to understand how general anesthesia and surgery can trigger neuroinflammation and delirium-like symptoms in aged individuals, particularly those with genetic predispositions to Alzheimer's. By using a rodent model, researchers will explore the underlying mechanisms of POD and its connection to cognitive decline. The findings could lead to better prevention and treatment strategies for delirium in older patients undergoing surgery.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for preventing delirium in older adults, potentially reducing the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated a connection between postoperative delirium and cognitive decline, suggesting that this approach could yield significant insights into the mechanisms involved.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Xie, Zhongcong — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Xie, Zhongcong
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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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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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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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.