Inflammation: a possible mechanism of postoperative cognitive dysfunction

Abstract

Background Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a common central nervous system complication in elderly patients. At present, the pathogenesis of POCD remains unclear. The occurrence of POCD may affect the postoperative recovery of patients, prolonged hospital stays, increase the incidence of postoperative complications and mortality,and impose additional financial burdens on on the family and society. POCD will become a serious social problem. Purpose To promote POCD research, striving for an early resolution of this serious problem. Content Previous studies have shown that anesthesiaand surgery might be the major causes of POCD, and aging is the only clear risk factor of it, suggesting that degenerative changes in the central nervous system is a correlative factor of the occurrence of POCD and anesthesia and surgery may aggravate the POCD derived from such degenerative changes. Trend It is reported that age-related inflammation in cognitive dysfunction plays an important role,and inflammation caused by surgical trauma and stress is an important perioperative pathophysiological change. In recent years, the role of inflammation in POCD has drawn a particular attention. This paper is tomake a review of the new development of the research of inflammation in POCD. Key words: Inflammation; Cognitive dysfunction; Surgery