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Anesthesia and the Old Brain

From the Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Roderic G. Eckenhoff, MD, Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 305 John Morgan Bldg., 3620 Hamilton Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104. Address e-mail to roderic.eckenhoff{at}uphs.upenn.edu.

Abstract

The perioperative period may have long-term consequences on cognitive function in the elderly patient. In this special article, we summarize the rationale and evidence that the anesthetic per se is a contributor. The evidence at this point is considered suggestive and further research is needed, especially in humans.