Biomarkers associated with Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Feasibility study of the use of biomarkers to detect perioperative brain injury: the association between serum neurofilament light chains, tau proteins, continuous intra-operative electroencephalography, and the development of post operative cognitive dysfunction after surgery
IRAS ID
302168
Contact name
Martyn Ezra
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Oxford / Research Governance, Ethics and Assurance
Duration of Study in the UK
5 years, 8 months, 0 days
Research summary
Loss of cognitive function after major surgery is a significant risk in older people. It can occur acutely in the days after surgery as delirium or in months to years later as a persistent reduction in brain function termed neurocognitive decline. Together these conditions are called post operative cognitive dysfunction (POCD). They can be acutely distressing for patients and are associated with other problems after surgery.
The causes of post operative cognitive dysfunction are poorly understood. Studies have been limited by a lack of biomarkers to predict which patients are at high risk of developing POCD. Research suggests silent strokes occurring during surgery and different sensitivities to anaesthetic medicines are associated with POCD.
Our project consists of a feasibility study to investigate markers that might predict people over 60 years old getting POCD. The first biomarker is a non-invasive monitor of anaesthetics effects on brain function called electroencephalography (EEG): we will identify which EEG patterns predict delirium within five days surgery. The second set of biomarkers are two blood tests of proteins that increase after strokes: these are neurofilament light chains and tau proteins. We will establish if these can be used to predict having POCD up to one year after surgery and long term cognitive impairment up to 5 years after surgery.
REC name
Wales REC 4
REC reference
22/WA/0149
Date of REC Opinion
29 Jun 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion