New Study Findings from Mount Sinai Medical Center Illuminate Research in Central Nervous System Agents (Post-Anesthesia Cognitive Dysfunction in Mice Is Associated with an Age-Related Increase in Neuronal Intracellular...).

A new study conducted at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami, Florida, has investigated the mechanisms behind postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) in elderly patients after general anesthesia. The study found that aged neurons had elevated intracellular calcium concentration, increased reactive oxygen species production, higher lactate dehydrogenase leak, and elevated calpain activity. Exposure to isoflurane exacerbated these markers and contributed to cognitive deficits in aged mice. However, pretreatment with dantrolene reduced intracellular calcium concentration and mitigated the effects of isoflurane on neuronal processes, suggesting it as a potential therapeutic intervention for cognitive decline in aging. [Extracted from the article]