Understanding sleep and memory after surgery and anesthesia
Official title: Role of preoptic hypothalamus in sleep-dependent cognition after surgery and general anesthesia
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11097233 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research explores how sleep affects memory and thinking abilities in older adults after they have surgery and anesthesia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | August 20, 2022 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $500,665 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG078134-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11097233 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This research is most relevant to surgical patients over the age of 65 who are concerned about their memory and thinking after anesthesia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not undergoing surgery or are not in the older age group may not directly benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
Many older adults experience memory and thinking problems, called Perioperative Neurocognitive Disorder (PND), after surgery. We know that sleep issues are common in surgical patients and might contribute to PND, but we don't fully understand why. This project focuses on a specific brain area, the preoptic hypothalamus, which is important for controlling sleep. By studying how neurons in this area work, we hope to uncover the brain mechanisms linking sleep, surgery, and cognitive changes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to prevent or treat memory and thinking problems that can happen after surgery in older adults.
How similar studies have gone: While sleep disturbances are known to be associated with cognitive impairment after surgery, detailed mechanistic studies on this relationship are scarce, making this a novel area of exploration.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vanini, Giancarlo — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Vanini, Giancarlo
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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.