An update on anesthetics and impact on the brain. Issue 9 (2nd September 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fodale, Vincenzo; Tripodi, Vincenzo F.; Penna, Olivia; Famà, Fausto; Squadrito, Francesco; Mondello, Epifanio; David, Antonio
• Is Part Of: Expert opinion on drug safety. Volume 16:Issue 9(2017:Sep.)
• Page Start: 997
• Page End: 1008
• Publication Date: 2017-09-02
• Subjects: Alzheimer's disease -- anesthesia -- autism spectrum disorder -- developing brain -- neuroinflammation -- neurotoxicity -- postoperative cognitive dysfunctions -- safety; Drugs -- Side effects -- Periodicals; Drugs -- Toxicology -- Periodicals; Chemotherapy -- Periodicals; 615.704
• DOI: 10.1080/14740338.2017.1351539
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1474-0338

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Introduction : While anesthetics are indispensable clinical tools and generally considered safe and effective, a growing concern over the potential neurotoxicity of anesthesia or specific anesthetic agents has called into question the safety of general anesthetics, especially when administered at extremes of age. Areas covered : This article reviews and updates research findings on the safety of anesthesia and anesthetics in terms of long-term neurotoxicity, with particular focus on postoperative cognitive dysfunctions, Alzheimer's disease and dementias, developing brain, post-operative depression and autism spectrum disorder. Expert opinion : Exposure to general anesthetics is potentially harmful to the human brain, and the consequent long-term cognitive deficits should be classified as an iatrogenic pathology, and considered a public health problem. The fact that in laboratory and clinical research only certain anesthetic agents and techniques, but not others, appear to be involved, raises the problem on what is the safest and the least safe anesthetic to maximize anesthesia efficiency, avoid occurrence of adverse events, and ensure patient safety. New trends in research are moving toward the theory that neuroinflammation could be the hallmark of, or could have a pivotal role in, several neurological disorders.