title: Anesthesia and the old brain.
abstract: The perioperative period may have long-term consequences on cognitive function in the elderly patient. In this special article, we summarize the rationale and evidence that the anesthetic per se is a contributor. The evidence at this point is considered suggestive and further research is needed, especially in humans.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: Junxia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Maryellen F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Eckenhoff
authors.forename: Roderic G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Eckenhoff
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology; D000758:Anesthesia / Q000009:adverse effects; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000209:etiology; D003704:Dementia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D016874:Neurofibrillary Tangles / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation