A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE IMPACT OF SEDATED ANESTHESIOLOGY ON BRAIN DEVELOPMENT ACROSS A LIFESPAN
Keywords:
Brain Development, Cognitive Function, Anaesthesia, Learning Deficit, MemoryAbstract
Sedated anesthesiology is integral to modern medical practice, yet concerns regarding its impact on brain development, particularly in vulnerable populations, have emerged. This review comprehensively examines the detrimental effects of sedated anaesthesia on brain development across the lifespan. In children, exposure to anaesthesia during early childhood has been linked to long-term cognitive deficits and behavioural issues. Studies demonstrate disruptions in memory and learning processes, suggesting potential neurodevelopmental consequences. Similarly, adolescents exposed to sedated anaesthesia exhibit persistent deficits in learning and memory, with a higher incidence of neurodevelopmental disorders observed in those with multiple exposures. In adults, sedated anaesthesia exposure is associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia, underscoring the importance of considering anaesthesia-related risks in this population. The neurotoxic effects of sedated anaesthesia may exacerbate age-related cognitive decline, highlighting the need for vigilant monitoring and risk mitigation strategies. Overall, this review emphasizes the urgent need for further research into alternative anaesthetic techniques to mitigate the adverse effects of sedated anaesthesia on brain health. Understanding the impact of sedated anaesthesia across different age groups is crucial for informed decision-making in clinical practice and policy formulation, ensuring optimal outcomes for patients undergoing medical procedures.
References
I. Davidson, A. J., Disma, N., de Graaff, J. C., Withington, D. E., Dorris, L., Bell, G., … & McCann, M. E. (2016). Neurodevelopmental outcome at 2 years of age after general anesthesia and awake-regional anesthesia in infancy (GAS): an international multicentre, randomized controlled trial. The Lancet, 387(10015), 239-250.
II. Block, R. I., Thomas, J. J., Bayman, E. O., Choi, J. Y., Kimble, K. K., & Todd, M. M. (2018). Are anesthesia and surgery during infancy associated with altered academic performance during childhood? Anesthesiology, 128(5), 890-899.
III. Jevtovic-Todorovic, V., Hartman, R. E., Izumi, Y., Benshoff, N. D., Dikranian, K., Zorumski, C. F., & Olney, J. W. (2003). Early exposure to common anesthetic agents causes widespread neurodegeneration in the developing rat brain and persistent learning deficits. Journal of Neuroscience, 23(3), 876-882.
IV. Sun, L. S., Li, G., DiMaggio, C. J., Byrne, M. W., Ing, C., Miller, T. L., … & Hays, S. R. (2020). Association between a single general anesthesia exposure before age 36 months and neurocognitive outcomes in later childhood. JAMA, 323(11), 1096-1105.
V. Whitlock, E. L., Diaz-Ramirez, L. G., Smith, A. K., Boscardin, W. J., Avidan, M. S., Glymour, M. M., & Boscardin, W. J. (2018). Association between intraoperative electroencephalographic suppression and postoperative delirium in a population-based cohort of older adults. Anesthesiology, 129(5), 417-427.
VI. Chen, P. L., Yang, C. W., Tseng, Y. J., Wu, Y. H., Wang, C. C., Huang, C. C., & Chen, W. T. (2021). Association of general anesthesia with risk of dementia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Network Open, 4(3), e213147.
VII. Safavynia, S., Goldstein, P., & Evered, L. (2022). Mitigation of perioperative neurocognitive disorders: A holistic approach. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, (), n/a.
VIII. Safavynia, S., Goldstein, P., & Evered, L. (2022). Mitigation of perioperative neurocognitive disorders: A holistic approach. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, (), n/a.
IX. Kassa, A. M. (2023). Neurodevelopmental outcomes in individuals with VACTERL association. A population-based cohort study. PLoS One, 18(6), e0288061.
X. Piwowarczyk, P., Piwowarczyk, P., Rypulak, E., Sysiak-Sławecka, J., Nieoczym, D., Socała, K., Wlaź, A., Wlaź, P., Turski, W., Czuczwar, M., & Borys, M. (2021). Propofol and Sevoflurane Anesthesia in Early Childhood Do Not Influence Seizure Threshold in Adult Rats. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(23), 12367.
XI. Jin, H., Komita, M., & Aoe, T. (2018). Decreased Protein Quality Control Promotes the Cognitive Dysfunction Associated With Aging and Environmental Insults. Frontiers in Neuroscience, (), n/a.
XII. ISER- Anesthesiology Journal Club - Neurodevelopmental outcome at 2 years of age after general anesthesia and awake-regional anesthesia in infancy (GAS): an international multicentre, randomized controlled trial | UPMC - Center for Continuing Education in the Health Sciences.
XIII. Xiao, A., Feng, Y., Yu, S., Xu, C., Chen, J., Wang, T., & Xiao, W. (2022). General anesthesia in children and long-term neurodevelopmental deficits: A systematic review. Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience, (), n/a.
XIV. Terushkin, V., Brauer, J. A., Bernstein, L., & Geronemus, R. G. (2017). Effect of General Anesthesia on Neurodevelopmental Abnormalities in Children Undergoing Treatment of Vascular Anomalies With Laser Surgery: A Retrospective Review. Dermatologic Surgery.
Additional Files
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 International Educational Journal of Science and Engineering

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.