Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction in Geriatric Patients

Overview

Geriatric patients have a high risk of developing postoperative cognitive deficits. Hypothetical causes are insufficient intraoperative cerebral perfusion or drugs that are administered in the perioperative setting. This study will investigate the role of these two factors in patients aged 65 or older undergoing elective surgical procedures under general aesthesia. Non-invasive techniques will be used to monitor intraoperative cerebral perfusion and anticholinergic activity in the patient's blood is determined. Data will be compared to those of a young (20-40 year old) group of patients undergoing elective surgical procedures using an identical anesthetic technique. A second control group of healthy volunteers older than 65 will be investigated to quantify practice effects with repeated testing of cognitive functions.

Full Title of Study: “Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction in Geriatric Patients: the Role of Intraoperative Cerebral Perfusion and Perioperative Anticholinergic Medication”

Study Type

  • Study Type: Observational
  • Study Design
    • Time Perspective: Prospective
  • Study Primary Completion Date: February 2012

Arms, Groups and Cohorts

  • Case
    • Patients aged 65 or older
  • Control
    • Patients aged 20 to 40
  • Control 2
    • Healthy volunteers aged 65 or older

Clinical Trial Outcome Measures

Primary Measures

  • Change in cognitive function due to surgery under general aesthesia
    • Time Frame: cognitive function measured prior to and after surgery
    • cognitive function measured by Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer’s Disease (CERAD) neurological test battery

Participating in This Clinical Trial

Inclusion Criteria

  • Elective surgical procedure under general anaesthesia Exclusion Criteria:

  • History of cerebrovascular disease – Mini Mental status <23 – Cardiac surgery – Neurosurgery

Gender Eligibility: All

Minimum Age: 65 Years

Maximum Age: N/A

Are Healthy Volunteers Accepted: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Investigator Details

  • Lead Sponsor
    • University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland
  • Provider of Information About this Clinical Study
    • Sponsor
  • Overall Official(s)
    • Luzius A Steiner, MD, Prof., Principal Investigator, Department of Anaesthesia, University Hospital Basel

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