Postoperative cognitive dysfunction-current research progress

Front Behav Neurosci. 2024 Jan 30:18:1328790. doi: 10.3389/fnbeh.2024.1328790. eCollection 2024.

Abstract

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) commonly occurs after surgery, particularly in elderly individuals. It is characterized by a notable decline in cognitive performance, encompassing memory, attention, coordination, orientation, verbal fluency, and executive function. This reduction in cognitive abilities contributes to extended hospital stays and heightened mortality. The prevalence of POCD can reach 40% within 1 week following cardiovascular surgery and remains as high as 17% 3 months post-surgery. Furthermore, POCD exacerbates the long-term risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD). As a result, numerous studies have been conducted to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying POCD and potential preventive strategies. This article provides a review of the research progress on POCD.

Keywords: POCD; pathogenesis; prevention; review; risk factors.

Publication types

  • Review

Grants and funding

The author(s) declare financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. This study was funded by the Sichuan Cancer Hospital Youth Foundation (No. YB2023021 to QZ).