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Published on: May 12, 2018
Selective anesthesia-induced neuroinflammation in developing mouse brain and cognitive impairment
Xia Shen1, Yuanlin Dong, Zhipeng Xu
1Geriatric Anesthesia Research Unit, Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129-2060, USA.
Repeated sevoflurane anesthesia in young mice impairs cognition and causes neuroinflammation. Cognitive deficits were reversed by environmental enrichment and anti-inflammatory treatment, suggesting potential interventions for anesthesia-induced cognitive impairment.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Anesthesiology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Population studies link early-life anesthesia exposure to cognitive impairment.
- Anesthesia's impact on developing brains requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish an animal model to differentiate anesthesia effects based on age and exposure.
- To investigate the role of specific anesthetic agents in cognitive function.
Main Methods:
- Young (6-day-old) and adult (60-day-old) mice exposed to various anesthesia regimens.
- Assessed learning, memory, neuroinflammation (cytokines IL-6, TNF-α), and microglia activation (Iba1) in brain tissue.
Main Results:
- Sevoflurane (3% for 2h daily x 3 days) caused cognitive impairment and neuroinflammation in young mice, but not adults.
- Single sevoflurane exposure or multiple desflurane exposures did not induce impairment.
- Environmental enrichment and ketorolac (anti-inflammatory) ameliorated sevoflurane-induced cognitive deficits.
Conclusions:
- Anesthesia-induced cognitive impairment is dependent on developmental stage, agent, and exposure frequency.
- Findings suggest cellular mechanisms and potential therapeutic strategies for anesthesia-related cognitive issues.
- Potential for improved anesthesia safety and outcomes in pediatric patients.
