01.12.2017 | Geriatric Anesthesia (S Akhtar, Section Editor) | Ausgabe 4/2017
Neuronal Connectivity, General Anesthesia, and the Elderly
- Zeitschrift:
- Current Anesthesiology Reports > Ausgabe 4/2017
Wichtige Hinweise
This article is part of the Topical Collection on Geriatric Anesthesia
Abstract
Purpose of Review
Due to change in demography, 33% of surgeries carried out are in geriatric patients, of which many develop POD and POCD with its major health care and public health consequences. This review will focus on functional connectivity in the brain, its pathophysiological changes with aging and anesthesia, and the consequent effects on brain function.
Recent Findings
Among the RSNs in the brain, DMN activity is significantly altered in in the aging brain and this correlates with the commonly observed mental function changes. Propofol and sevoflurane also affect DMN activity in young healthy subjects. While aging affects the anterior part of the DMN (frontal lobe regions), anesthesia affects activity in the posterior part (PCC, precuneus and, inferior parietal lobe).
Summary
Understanding the effect of surgery and anesthesia on connectivity in elderly is essential in order to be able to optimize brain function after surgery.
