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Updated: Nov 2, 2025
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A Mouse Model of Orthopedic Surgery to Study Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction and Tissue Regeneration
Published on: February 27, 2018
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Determinants of Post-Operative Cognitive Decline in Elderly People
J Cartailler1, C Loyer, E Vanderlynden
1C. Paquet, Cognitive Neurology Center, Saint-Louis Lariboisière-Fernand Widal Hospital, APHP, Université de Paris INSERU1144, France, claire.paquet@inserm.fr.
The Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer'S Disease
|June 8, 2021
Summary
This pilot study found that patients undergoing hip or knee surgery experienced short-term cognitive decline. Pre-operative factors like certain medications and anesthesia type influenced this decline.
Area of Science:
- Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine
- Neuroscience
- Geriatric Medicine
Background:
- Surgery and anesthesia can lead to cognitive dysfunction, but the underlying causes are not fully understood.
- Cognitive decline post-surgery is a significant concern, particularly in older adults undergoing elective procedures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the factors contributing to cognitive decline after elective hip or knee prosthesis surgery.
- To analyze the impact of anesthesia type, pre-operative treatments, and patient well-being on cognitive function.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, single-center study involving 60 patients undergoing hip or knee prosthesis surgery.
- Evaluated cognitive function using Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores and psychomotor response time pre- and post-surgery.
- Collected data on sociodemographics, comorbidities, anesthesia type, pain, and well-being.
Main Results:
- A significant decrease in MoCA scores was observed two days after surgery compared to pre-operative scores (p<0.001).
- Pre-operative use of benzodiazepines or anticholinergics was associated with greater cognitive decline (p=0.006).
- Ketamine use during anesthesia and lower pre-operative well-being scores were linked to reduced cognitive impact (p=0.043 and p=0.006, respectively).
Conclusions:
- Post-operative cognitive decline is evident in the short term following lower limb surgery.
- Identified pre- and peri-operative factors independently associated with cognitive decline.
- Further research with larger cohorts is recommended to confirm these findings and their clinical implications.
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