SAEDNEWS: Researchers had found evidence suggesting that anesthesia increases the risk of cognitive decline in older adults. A recent study in the Journal of Anesthesia examined the effects of anesthesia on memory.
According to Saed News, you’ve probably heard that anesthesia can affect memory. Recent research suggests that middle-aged adults are at a higher risk of cognitive decline and memory loss following surgical anesthesia. While anesthesia is often thought to temporarily induce unconsciousness during surgery, studies indicate that these drugs can have lasting effects on perception and memory.
Despite over a century of widespread use, anesthesia remains partially mysterious to doctors. The precise mechanisms of how these drugs work are still not fully understood.
In a recent study, researchers tested 964 participants with an average age of 54 at the Alzheimer’s Prevention Office in Wisconsin. Over four years, participants underwent two rounds of cognitive assessments to determine which individuals were at greater risk for memory impairment or decline.
Of the 670 participants with normal memory at the start, those who underwent surgery during the study were twice as likely to show signs of memory impairment compared to those who did not have surgery.
By the end of the study, memory issues were reported in 21 of 114 participants with a history of surgery—significantly higher than the 56 of 556 participants without surgical history who experienced memory problems.
The research team concluded that, overall, participants who underwent surgery were more prone to memory anomalies and motor skill difficulties, although these changes were relatively minor. One author stated, “These findings suggest that patients exposed to surgical procedures and anesthesia may demonstrate more functional deficits in neuropsychological memory tests.”
The study also found that surgery was associated with reduced verbal learning and short-term memory, with rates among surgical patients being twice as high as those who had not undergone surgery.
Dr. Kirk Hogan, one of the lead authors from Wisconsin State University, explained that while the changes in memory were minor, they were statistically significant. He noted, “According to the standards we adopted, the reported cognitive changes were notable, though subtle, likely asymptomatic, and influenced by each individual’s baseline cognitive awareness.”
Hogan and colleagues observed that even small declines in memory and motor function were measurable. They also noted that participants who already had weaker motor skills at the start showed accelerated deterioration. Hogan emphasized the need for further research in different populations to better understand the long-term impact of anesthesia.
“The results are being examined and verified both within the study’s aging population and in other demographic samples to understand the broader implications of surgical anesthesia,” he added.
Dr. Gayatri Devi, a neurologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, stressed that much more research is required to uncover the full effects of anesthesia, especially for patients at risk of learning disorders.
In an interview with Health Line Magazine, Dr. Devi said, “I have long observed that anesthesia can reduce cognitive function in patients, even in the context of learning disorders. While some surgeries necessitate anesthesia, if possible, I prefer local anesthesia.”
She added, “This study underscores that anesthesia, even for minor procedures, can temporarily weaken cognition in middle-aged patients in their fifties, although long-term effects remain unknown. Further research is needed to understand the lasting impact of anesthesia on memory.”
