Neuroinflammation in cognitive decline post-cardiac surgery (the FOCUS study): an observational study protocol

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Immunology
• Cardiology

Background:

• Postoperative cognitive dysfunction is common after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).
• Neuroinflammation, driven by systemic inflammation from surgical trauma, is a potential mechanism.
• This inflammation may activate brain's innate immune cells, leading to neuronal damage.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess in vivo neuroinflammation before and after major cardiac surgery.
• To investigate the relationship between neuroinflammation and cognitive outcomes.
• To explore links between neuroinflammation, brain structure/function changes, and systemic inflammation.

Main Methods:

• Prospective observational study (FOCUS study) of 30 patients undergoing elective on-pump CABG.
• Positron emission tomography (PET) with 18F-DPA-714 to image translocator protein (TSPO) and assess neuroinflammation.
• Cerebral MRI for brain and vascular lesions, neurocognitive assessments, and blood analysis for systemic inflammation.

Main Results:

• Data collection and analysis are ongoing.
• Results will elucidate the role of neuroinflammation in cognitive dysfunction post-CABG.

Conclusions:

• Findings will clarify the mechanisms of postoperative cognitive dysfunction.
• This research may inform strategies to mitigate cognitive decline after cardiac surgery.