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Fat on Fire: Disrupted Microglial Lipid Metabolism as a Driver of Anesthetic Neurotoxicity

Yu-Jie Mou1,2, Hai-Yue Tu3, Yi-Chan Wang1,2

  • 1Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China.

Neuroscience Bulletin
|April 28, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Anesthetics disrupt microglial lipid metabolism, causing inflammation and cognitive impairment. Targeting these metabolic pathways may offer new treatments for anesthesia-induced neurotoxicity.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Immunology
  • Metabolism

Background:

  • Anesthetics are essential but can cause neurotoxicity.
  • Microglia, immune cells in the brain, are key to perioperative outcomes.
  • Microglial lipid metabolism regulates brain immune responses and inflammation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review how anesthetics affect microglial lipid metabolism.
  • To explore the mechanisms linking anesthesia, microglial lipids, and neuroinflammation.
  • To identify therapeutic targets for anesthesia neurotoxicity.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and synthesis of current research.
  • Analysis of studies on anesthetic effects on microglial function.
  • Integration of findings on lipid metabolism and neuroinflammation.

Main Results:

  • Anesthetics disrupt microglial lipid metabolism, leading to lipid accumulation and impaired fatty acid oxidation.
  • This metabolic disturbance promotes pro-inflammatory microglial activation.
  • Anesthesia-induced changes in microglial lipids contribute to cognitive deficits.

Conclusions:

  • Microglial lipid metabolism is a critical target for mitigating anesthesia neurotoxicity.
  • Understanding these pathways can lead to novel therapeutic strategies.
  • Further research is needed to develop targeted interventions.
Keywords:
Anesthetic neurotoxicityCognitive dysfunctionLipid metabolismLipid-targeted therapyMicroglia

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