Alzheimer'S Disease Processes

Abstract

Cognitive changes after surgery occur in the elderly, yet the cause remains unknown. We plan to study cognition in patients having hip surgery in which general and spinal anaesthesia are used together. This allows us to sample spinal fluid which will be analysed for substances which identify a predisposition to Alzheimer’s disease. By comparing the results to a group of subjects who have not undergone surgery, we hope to identify if anaesthesia and surgery exacerbate this predisposition.