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Can certain compounds in the blood identify brain damage resulting from surgery with anesthesia?
Lisbeth Evered
St. Vincent's Hospital
Melbourne, Australia
Background
Past studies show that for older individuals, undergoing surgery with anesthesia may impact their memory. The biological mechanisms underlying this increased risk, however, remain unclear. In preliminary studies, Dr. Lisbeth Evered, and colleagues have found that surgery with anesthesia may actively harm the brain in certain ways. The researchers analyzed blood samples of older people who had had surgical procedures, and they found that the samples showed abnormal levels of two compounds: tau protein (a key molecular suspect in Alzheimer’s and other brain diseases) and neurofilament light (NFL)- a component of nerve cell that is meant to be a marker for injury to the nervous system. Abnormal blood levels of tau indicate high levels of this harmful protein; while abnormal NFL levels seem to indicate damage to a nerve cell region called axon that helps nerve cells communicate. The abnormal tau and NFL levels are also thought to take place after brain trauma, indicating that they may be associated with more serious brain problems, including Alzheimer’s.
Research Plan
Dr. Evered and colleagues will conduct a study of how surgery with anesthesia may affect brain health in older people. They plan to enroll 118 participants over age 65 who are scheduled for surgical procedures. Each participant will receive one of two different anesthetic options for their surgery, and each will have blood samples taken and brain tests administered both before and after their surgery. Dr. Evered and her team will then analyze the blood samples and test results to compare how the procedures affected brain function and look for associations with the levels of harmful tau, and NFL-related changes.
Impact
The study results could provide new information on how surgery and anesthesia may directly contribute to brain damage and, possibly, to long-term brain disease. Ultimately, such knowledge may help physicians and surgeons avoid anesthetic options that compromise the brain health of older adults.
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