Understanding how the brain recovers consciousness after anesthesia

Anesthesia and Consciousness

NIH-funded research Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11001179

This study is looking at how different types of anesthesia affect how quickly and well people wake up and think clearly afterward, and it wants to see if there are any differences between men and women in this process, all to help improve the experience for patients coming out of anesthesia.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionMassachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boston, United States)
Project IDNIH-11001179 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the recovery of consciousness and cognitive functions following general anesthesia. It aims to fill knowledge gaps regarding how different anesthetic drugs affect cognitive recovery and whether there are sex differences in this process. The study will explore the trajectory of cognitive recovery and the role of specific neural circuits in facilitating this recovery. By using animal models, the research seeks to provide insights that could lead to better management of patients waking up from anesthesia.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals undergoing surgical procedures that require general anesthesia.

Not a fit: Patients who do not require general anesthesia for their procedures or those with contraindications to anesthesia may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for patients experiencing complications during recovery from anesthesia, such as emergence delirium.

How similar studies have performed: While the use of general anesthetics is common, the specific focus on cognitive recovery mechanisms is relatively novel, indicating a potential for groundbreaking insights.

Where this research is happening

Boston, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.