Posted on 01/08/2026 7:21:45 PM PST by ConservativeMind
Simple pharmaceutical interventions could help older brains cope with memory impairment and recovery after surgery, new studies in mice suggest.
The first paper examined the problem of post-surgical cognitive impairment. Immediately after surgery, cognitive impairment is common, but studies have found that 10% of adults over the age of 60 still have deficits to learning, memory and executive function three months after surgery, Rudolph said.
Propofol is a common anesthetic agent that has shown promise in other mouse studies for improving cognition in Alzheimer's disease models, though in high doses it may harm the brain, Rudolph said. To study whether propofol could help with cognition after surgery, the researchers performed surgery on older mice.
The Illinois team found intermittent administration of propofol, beginning before surgery, increased mouse performance on a wide variety of cognitive tasks after the surgery. And the results lasted five days after a dose, even though propofol is cleared from the body in a matter of hours.
Looking closely at what was happening in the mouse brains, the researchers found that mice who were administered propofol had a long-lasting increase of certain receptors for the neurotransmitter GABA, a key regulator of learning and memory, on the surface of neurons in the hippocampus region of the brain and decreased markers for inflammation and cell death. Mice who were not administered propofol did not have these molecular changes.
In the second paper, the researchers investigated age-related memory impairment. Other studies have found potential for insulin nasal spray in improving memory in Alzheimer's disease models, so the Illinois team wondered whether it also affected general age-related memory impairment.
Delving into the changes in the brain, the researchers found that pseudo-aged mice had an increase in two markers that regulate neural inflammation, and intranasal insulin reversed that increase, reducing inflammation.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
“the problem of post-surgical cognitive impairment”
My dad had quadruple heart bypass surgery in his late 60s. It really affected his cognitive ability.
Mom had a colon section around age 80 and she suffered bad cognitive impairment post-surgery. Her dementia had started before that, but greatly accelerated afterwards.
They use propofol for colonoscopies now. Its great. You wake up like you just took a nap. No brain fog. Mr. GG2 got it with his shoulder surgery in November.
I think the medical profession quite a few years ago first started noticing cognitive decline in heart patients after long surgeries. It wasn’t clear then what the issue was; some thought it was because of trauma to the heart itself. It slowly became clear that any procedure in which the patient was anesthetized for a long period had the same effect.
I’m optimistic that the developments in this article prove useful.
Thanks. Nobody told us in advance what the possibly cognitive outcome would be for Dad. We all expected him to be himself after the surgery, but he was never the same. He was young, too. He did improve quite a bit post-op and started hitting the gym. But his Parkinson’s got a lot worse and it wasn’t bad before all of his muscles just would not work any more. It was a brutal end to a strapping, strong, vibrant man.
Be certain that you have confidence in your Doctor and in his anesthesia team. When I hear about the drug Propofol, I recall that as the medication the late Michael Jackson took in heavy doses toward the end of his life, because that was the only way he could fall asleep for a few hours.
Perhaps consider this as well. Research also conducted by research drs Pearson and Shaw, detailed in the 1980 copywright book “Life Extension”. These are the founders of the Life Extension Organisation.
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HYDERGINE, also known as ergoloid mesylates or co-dergocrine mesylate, is a mixture of three dihydrogenated ergot alkaloids—dihydroergocristine, dihydroergocornine, and alpha- and beta-dihydroergocryptine—derived from ergot fungus.
It was developed in the 1940s by Albert Hofmann, the discoverer of LSD, while working for Sandoz, which is now part of Novartis.
Hydergine has been used clinically since 1949 to treat dementia, age-related cognitive decline, and to aid recovery after stroke.
It is approved by the FDA for the treatment of idiopathic decline in mental capacity, characterized by memory loss, confusion, and impaired daily functioning.
Hydergine is available by prescription only and is marketed under various brand names including Hydergina, Gerimal, and Niloric.
Common side effects include transient nausea, gastrointestinal disturbances, orthostatic hypotension, bradycardia, skin rash, flushing, blurred vision, and nasal congestion.
It is contraindicated in individuals with hypersensitivity or psychosis.
Due to potential risks such as fibrosis and ergotism, its use is restricted or prohibited in some EU countries for certain indications, though concerns about risk-benefit balance may be overstated.
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The drug has also been used off-label as a cognitive enhancer in healthy individuals to improve memory, focus, and mental agility.
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AI-generated answer. Please verify critical facts.
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