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Adaptation of Microelectrode Array Technology for the Study of Anesthesia-induced Neurotoxicity in the Intact Piglet Brain
Published on: May 12, 2018
General anesthetics in pediatric anesthesia: influences on the developing brain
Mary Ellen McCann1, Sulpicio G Soriano
1Department of Anaesthesia (Pediatrics), Harvard Medical School, Senior Associate in Anesthesiology, Children’s Hospital Boston, Massachusetts, USA 02115. mary.mccann@childrens.harvard.edu
Current Drug Targets
|April 20, 2012
Summary
Anesthetics and sedatives may harm infant brain development, causing neuroapoptosis and cognitive deficits. Pain without anesthesia also poses risks, highlighting the need for safer pediatric anesthesia protocols.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Anesthesiology
- Developmental Pediatrics
Background:
- Millions of newborns and infants undergo procedures requiring anesthetic, sedative, and analgesic drugs annually.
- Emerging laboratory evidence links anesthetic and sedative exposure to neuroapoptosis and neurocognitive deficits in developing brains.
- The safety of anesthetic agents for fetal and neonatal anesthesia is a critical concern for pediatric specialists.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the evidence regarding the effects of commonly used anesthetics on neuronal structure and neurocognitive function in laboratory models.
- To review clinical human epidemiologic data concerning neurological outcomes after anesthesia in neonates and young children.
Main Methods:
- Review of laboratory studies investigating anesthetic-induced neurotoxicity in developing brain models.
- Analysis of published retrospective reviews and larger studies on neurological sequelae and neurodevelopmental impairment in pediatric populations.
- Examination of clinical human epidemiologic data related to anesthesia exposure and neurological outcomes.
Main Results:
- Laboratory models show that anesthetic and sedative drugs can induce neuroapoptosis and neurocognitive deficits.
- Clinical data indicate temporary neurological deficits after prolonged anesthetic exposure and long-term neurodevelopmental impairment following neonatal surgery.
- Both anesthetic exposure and painful stimuli without analgesia appear to negatively impact the developing mammalian brain.
Conclusions:
- Current anesthetic and sedative drugs raise concerns regarding safety in fetal and neonatal anesthesia due to potential neurotoxic effects.
- Further research is warranted to understand the long-term neurological implications of anesthesia in infants and to develop safer alternatives.
- The findings underscore the importance of balancing procedural necessity with potential risks to neurodevelopment in pediatric patients.
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01:20Inhalational Anesthetics: Overview
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