‘Granny was never the same after her operation’ is a strong public perception. These reports of persistent memory and concentration loss following surgery are now supported by a body of scientific research recording an incidence of ‘postoperative cognitive decline’ (POCD) as high as 75% in cardiac surgery patients. At present the cause is unknown but recently anaesthesia has been implicated. Our research team will investigate these claims.
Outcomes From A Multi-site Randomised Controlled Trial Comparing Regional And General Anaesthesia For Effects On Neurodevelopmental Outcome And Apnoea In Infants
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$757,831.00
Summary
Animal studies suggest general anaesthetics harm the developing brain. It is unclear if these findings are relevant to humans. The aim of this international randomised controlled trial is to determine whether children exposed to general anaesthesia as an infant have a poorer neurodevelopmental outcome. A previous NHMRC grant funded the first phase of the trial along with substantial funding from overseas. The trial will tell us if general anaesthetics affect the developing brain in children.