How brain inflammation affects thinking and memory after heart surgery
The Role of Neuroinflammation on Neurocognitive Outcome in Cardiac Surgery: INOCS Study
This project tests whether blood signs of brain inflammation and a short cognitive check can help spot thinking and memory problems after elective heart surgery in people aged 60 and older.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 80 (estimated) |
| Ages | 60 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Genk, Limburg) |
| Trial ID | NCT07200726 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is an observational, single-center cohort study enrolling patients aged 60 and older who are scheduled for elective cardiac surgery. Researchers will collect blood biomarkers related to neuroinflammation and perform brief cognitive assessments before surgery and at defined times after surgery to detect delirium, delayed neurocognitive recovery, and postoperative neurocognitive disorder. No experimental treatment is given; the study follows patients to see how biomarker levels and short diagnostic instruments relate to cognitive outcomes up to and beyond 30 days after the operation. The goal is to identify biomarkers or a validated short test that can reliably identify patients at risk for post-surgical cognitive decline.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults aged 60 years or older who are scheduled for elective cardiac surgery and do not have a diagnosis of dementia are the intended participants.
Not a fit: People with an existing diagnosis of dementia, those undergoing urgent (non-elective) surgery, or patients who cannot attend the single-center visits at the enrolling hospital are unlikely to benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could allow easier identification of patients at risk for postoperative cognitive decline with a blood test and short bedside check, enabling earlier support or treatment.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies have reported links between inflammatory markers and postoperative cognitive decline, but no blood biomarker or brief diagnostic instrument is yet widely validated for routine clinical use.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * aged 60 years or older; * scheduled for cardiac surgery. Exclusion Criteria: * dementia, as diagnosed by a specialist, since this would make detection of PNCD impossible; * urgent, not elective surgery.
Where this trial is running
Genk, Limburg
- Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg — Genk, Limburg, Belgium (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Steven Thiessen, MD, PhD
- Email: steven.thiessen@zol.be
- Phone: 3289804646
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.