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Published on: August 18, 2014
Effects of neonatal isoflurane anesthesia exposure on learning-specific and sensory systems in adults
Daniil P Aksenov1, Palamadai N Venkatasubramanian2, Michael J Miller2
1Department of Radiology, NorthShore University HealthSystem, 1033 University Pl., Suite 100, Evanston, IL, 60201, USA. daksenov@northshore.org.
Insights
Neonatal exposure to general anesthesia, like isoflurane, can impair brain development and lead to learning deficits in young subjects. This study highlights the need for caution with early anesthesia use in children.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Anesthesiology
Background:
- General anesthesia is widely used in millions of children annually.
- Early-life exposure to anesthesia may negatively impact neuronal development.
- Previous studies suggest a link between neonatal anesthesia and later-life behavioral and learning impairments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of neonatal exposure to isoflurane on behavioral learning.
- To identify functional, metabolic, and structural brain changes associated with early anesthesia exposure.
Main Methods:
- Newborn rabbits were exposed to isoflurane.
- Trace eyeblink classical conditioning assessed behavioral learning in adolescent subjects.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) techniques, including fMRI, volumetry, spectroscopy, and DTI, were employed.
Main Results:
- Anesthesia-exposed subjects exhibited significant changes compared to controls.
- MRI revealed functional, metabolic, and structural alterations in learning and sensory brain regions.
- Findings support the hypothesis that early anesthesia exposure impacts neurodevelopment.
Conclusions:
- Neonatal isoflurane exposure induces specific, lasting changes in the brain.
- These changes correlate with impaired behavioral learning.
- Caution is advised regarding the use of general anesthesia in neonates and young children.
Abstract:
Millions of children undergo general anesthesia each year, and animal and human studies have indicated that exposure to anesthesia at an early age can impact neuronal development, leading to behavioral and learning impairments that manifest later in childhood and adolescence. Here, we examined the effects of isoflurane, a commonly-used general anesthetic, which was delivered to newborn rabbits. Trace eyeblink classical conditioning was used to assess the impact of neonatal anesthesia exposure on behavioral learning in adolescent subjects, and a variety of MRI techniques including fMRI, MR volumetry, spectroscopy and DTI captured functional, metabolic, and structural changes in key regions of the learning and sensory systems associated with anesthesia-induced learning impairment. Our results demonstrated a wide array of changes that were specific to anesthesia-exposed subjects, which supports previous studies that have pointed to a link between early anesthesia exposure and the development of learning and behavioral deficiencies. These findings point to the need for caution in avoiding excessive use of general anesthesia in young children and neonates.
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