AUTHOR=Zhao Qi , Wan Hui , Pan Hui , Xu Yiquan TITLE=Postoperative cognitive dysfunction—current research progress JOURNAL=Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience VOLUME=18 YEAR=2024 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/behavioral-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnbeh.2024.1328790 DOI=10.3389/fnbeh.2024.1328790 ISSN=1662-5153 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.