Anesthesia and Dementia and/or Alzheimer’s
Posted by DS, DC on May 11th 2022
Ever notice that you or a loved on just isn’t “the same” after a major surgery. Time to learn about POCD or post-operative cognitive decline. This syndrome is hotly debated with some saying it is a real thing and others insisting that no evidence supports such a notion. But maybe you have actually seen or felt it. So what is person to think about POCD?
More and More Studies Suggest a Relationship
Some studies seem to suggest that there just isn’t a relationship between surgery and some cognitive decline but recent studies have shown that in both animals and humans, we find a build-up of proteins associated with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), however. I should mention that I know of at least one case from our files that shows a dramatic increase in blood pressure that last several months after each surgery and then slowly came back to normal.
We Are Glad to Have Anesthesia as a Routine Option
We are certainly glad to have some type of anesthesia available if you need a major procedure. But what is actually happening? Anesthesia affects a wide range of brain functions including cognitive activities like attention. Learning, memory and sleep. Anesthesia works in part by altering the ability of neural networks to facilitate activity between brain regions.
Because anesthesia works on so many areas including some areas that have no direct relationship to the desired effects of the anesthesia some neuroscientist are concerned that we are now open to unforeseen processes like neurodegeneration.
Build-up of Tau and Amyloid Beta Proteins
The studies showing increased build-up of amyloid beta and tau proteins that are associated with Alzheimer’s are preliminary and we can’t draw any hard conclusions from these just yet. Also some epidemiological evidence suggests that when comparing people without and with dementia and looking at rates of anesthesia, no obvious patterns emerged. This suggests that no link between the actual anesthesia and dementia exists.
Some Genotypes More At Risk
POCD and relationship to different genotypes has been studied. It would be handy to know from your own genetic predisposition if you are predisposed to negative cognitive effects from anesthesia. Certain genes have shown to be associated with an elevated risk of dementia and AD. Studies are in the works on this topic.
However, some researchers point out that surgery is a traumatic experience with inherent inflammation. It is possible that some of the negative effects on the brain are general inflammation related.
Take Steps to Reduce Dependence on Surgery
If that description didn’t seem clear, you have a decent grasp of the problem as we really can’t make any sweeping generalizations. The bottom line is that some people are going to be more prone to damage from surgery and anesthesia and some might be OK.I would seem reasonable that if you have a progressive dementia condition or early onset Alzheimer’s or if you have noticed a negative reaction to anesthesia in your focus and cognition in the past, you should not take anesthesia lightly and should forego any elective surgery. Actually anyone should aggressively look for alternatives to any health problem to avoid any surgeries whenever possible. And don’t forget to include routine colonoscopies and endoscopies in that list of procedures that might have a decent non-anesthesia alternative in your case.
Can’t Hurt to Boost Levels of Glutathione and Vitamin C
Our own opinion on the matter is that reactions to anesthesia may have something to do with certain detox pathways. It won’t hurt to increase your glutathione support and vitamin C support a few days before and for a few days after the procedure to give your body the best chance at calming any negative effects as quickly as possible.
Look for NuMedica Liposomal Glutathione and Ecological Formulas C-1000 from non-corn sources.