Anesthesia could accelerate the development of Alzheimer's disease in elderly patients, according to a study by researchers at St. Vincent's Hospital in Melbourne, Australia, reported in The Australian.
David Scott, MD, director of anesthesia at St. Vincent's Hospital, told a medical conference there is preliminary evidence that the rate of conversion to Alzheimer's disease is increased after anesthetics and surgery in elderly patients. Studies involving rates showed that some commonly used anesthetic drugs sped up the degeneration of nerve cells, a condition characteristic of Alzheimer's.
According to the report, the capacity for anesthetic drugs to influence Alzheimer's has been debated in past years. Studies have shown between 30-50 percent of patients experience mental confusion or affected thinking for a week after surgery, dropping to 10-15 percent after three months.
Read the Australian report on anesthetics and Alzheimer's.
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David Scott, MD, director of anesthesia at St. Vincent's Hospital, told a medical conference there is preliminary evidence that the rate of conversion to Alzheimer's disease is increased after anesthetics and surgery in elderly patients. Studies involving rates showed that some commonly used anesthetic drugs sped up the degeneration of nerve cells, a condition characteristic of Alzheimer's.
According to the report, the capacity for anesthetic drugs to influence Alzheimer's has been debated in past years. Studies have shown between 30-50 percent of patients experience mental confusion or affected thinking for a week after surgery, dropping to 10-15 percent after three months.
Read the Australian report on anesthetics and Alzheimer's.
Related Articles on Anesthesia:
Study: Anesthesiologists' Role in Labor, Delivery Misunderstood
ASA's Standards Revision Focusing on Ventilation Methods Set to Take Effect
Dr. Richard Dutton Analyses French Study About Allergic Reactions to Anesthesia