Cognitive decline associated with anesthesia and surgery in the elderly: Does this contribute to dementia prevalence?

Abstract

Purpose of review To provide an update on the current state of research investigating the effects of anesthesia and surgery on cognition in the elderly, including consideration of overlap with cognitive disorders in the community. Recent findings The studies reviewed here identify detrimental effects of anesthesia and surgery on cognition in a proportion of elderly individuals. Animal models demonstrate an association between anesthetic agents and Alzheimer's disease pathology. Human studies demonstrate a high incidence of cognitive impairment preoperatively in the elderly and further decline postoperatively, with recent work showing that poor preoperative cognitive function is a key predict..