Does Anesthesia Surgery Increase Risk of Dementia?

Written by Nguyenjessica

Published on May 9 2025

Does anesthesia surgery increase the risk of dementia? This is a concern for many middle-aged and older adults. As we age, many of us may need to undergo surgical procedures, and the question of whether general anesthesia will hurt our brains is coming to the forefront.

In this article, we will provide you with an in-depth analysis of the relationship between general anesthesia and cognitive function, help you face the decision to undergo surgery more rationally, and provide a series of practical advice before and after surgery to reduce the risk and protect the health of the brain.

Does Anesthesia Surgery Increase Risk of Dementia

Key Points

There is no clear evidence that general anesthesia directly causes Alzheimer's disease, but postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) does exist.

Age, duration of anesthesia, and individual fitness can affect postoperative cognitive recovery.

Postoperative cognitive function can be improved by brain exercises, dietary modifications, and chronic disease management.

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Table of content

What is general anesthesia vs. local anesthesia?

Does general anesthesia really increase the risk of dementia?

What factors affect cognitive recovery after surgery?

How do we weigh the pros and cons of surgery?

What can be done after surgery to minimize the risk of brain damage?

What is general anesthesia vs. local anesthesia?

First, let's understand the basic concept of general anesthesia and local anesthesia and their differences. General anesthesia (general anesthesia) refers to the complete loss of consciousness through the use of specific drugs, during which the patient will not remember anything from the surgical procedure. This modality is mainly used in surgical procedures that require prolonged or complex operations.

In contrast, local anesthesia (local anesthesia) involves anesthetizing specific parts of the body without affecting the patient's consciousness, allowing the patient to remain awake and feel conscious during the procedure. Local anesthesia is usually used in simpler, shorter surgeries or procedures

Does general anesthesia really increase the risk of dementia?

The question of whether general anesthesia causes Alzheimer's is still controversial in the medical community and the evidence is not strong. However, based on a number of large studies (involving tens of thousands of participants) that I have reviewed, as well as the results of several meta-analyses, general anesthesia surgery does have the potential to increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease.

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD), or short-term cognitive decline after surgery, is one of the relatively common complications after general anesthesia surgery. It occurs not only in older people but also in younger people, although symptoms tend to be more severe and last longer in older people. Research suggests that this short-term cognitive decline may be related to an inflammatory response in the brain.

For those who already have higher risk factors for dementia (such as a family history or poor memory), these inflammatory responses may accelerate cognitive decline.

What factors affect cognitive recovery after surgery?

Multiple variables can affect changes in cognitive function after surgery, including the type of anesthetic medication used, the length of time anesthesia lasts, and the individual's frailty. Typically, the longer the duration of anesthesia, the more invasive the surgery, the greater the individual's frailty, and the greater the likelihood of impaired cognitive function. Younger patients recover faster compared to older patients. Therefore, it is important to develop a personalized anesthesia plan for each individual.

How do we weigh the pros and cons of surgery?

How do we make decisions in the face of such information? In reality, it involves an assessment of the need for surgery. Just as with the need to remove a lung nodule, we must balance the benefits of the treatment against the potential risks. Similarly, a CT scan, while helpful in diagnosing a disease, requires consideration of the risks of radiation. If general anesthesia is necessary, the importance of the procedure itself should be prioritized.

Also, if there are high risk factors such as three highs or a family history of Alzheimer's disease, there are precautions that can be taken to mitigate the risks. One should try to choose an established hospital and surgical team that may be able to shorten the duration of the surgery.

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What can be done after surgery to minimize the risk of brain damage?

Brain activity: Encourage active participation in postoperative activities such as thinking about problems, playing mind games, playing mahjong, doing finger exercises, learning new skills or languages to stimulate the brain.

Physical exercise: Appropriate participation in aerobic exercise, such as walking and yoga, to improve blood circulation and enhance brain health.

Dietary adjustments: Follow a low-salt, low-oil diet, choose white meat over red meat, and try the Mediterranean dietary pattern, which is beneficial to cardiovascular health and thus indirectly protects the brain.

Manage the three highs: Strictly control high blood pressure, high blood sugar and high blood fat to reduce the risk of damage to the brain.