title: [Neuropsychologic effects of anesthesia in the elderly].
abstract: Two anaesthetic techniques, the general balanced anaesthesia and the spinal one, have been compared in relation to their effects on neuropsychological functions as assessed by a neuropsychological test battery. Seventeen patients, who underwent different kinds of operations, have been kept under observation and checked up from a neuropsychological point of view 3 days before (time A) and 7 and 30 days after the operation (respectively time B and time C). No statistical significant differences in relation to the two anaesthetic techniques were found when comparing A, B and C assessment times. A decrease in cognitive performance at time B and a gradual return to basal condition were observed in patients who underwent general anaesthesia. Nevertheless the lack of statistical significance of the observed data leads to the need for further investigation.
authors.affiliation: II Servizio di Anestesia e Rianimazione, Ospedale Regionale San Martino, Genova.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gabutto
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Farina
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cogorno
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Capelli
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Giuntoli
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D000775:Anesthesia, Spinal; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests
vernacular_title: Effetti neuropsicologici dell'anestesia sul soggetto anziano.