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Role of anesthetics in Alzheimer's disease: Molecular details revealed
January 29, 2007Inhaled anesthetics commonly used in surgery are more likely to cause the aggregation of Alzheimer's disease-related plaques in the brain than intravenous anesthetics say University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine researchers in a journal article published in the Jan. 23 issue of Biochemistry. This is the first report using state-of-the-art nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic technique to explain the detailed molecular mechanism behind the aggregation of amyloid β (Aβ) peptide due to various anesthetics.
Aβ plaques are found in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease. Many believe that the uncontrolled clumping of Aβ is the cause of Alzheimer's disease and that the similar aggregation of peptides and proteins play a role in the development of other neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease.
"Many people know of or have heard of an elderly person who went into surgery where they received anesthesia and when they woke up they had noticeable memory loss or cognitive dysfunction," said Pravat K. Mandal, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and lead author of the study. Previous studies by the Pittsburgh researchers found that the inhaled anesthetics halothane and isoflurane and the intravenous anesthetic propofol encouraged the growth and clumping of Aβ in a test tube experiment.
"Our prior research had shown in molecular models that anesthetics may play a role by causing amyloid peptides to clump together—something that is thought to signal the advancement of Alzheimer's disease. In this study, we set out to see why this was happening and to determine if any one form of anesthesia might be a safer option than another," said Dr. Mandal.
In this study the researchers used NMR spectroscopy to determine how the inhaled anesthetics halothane and isoflurane and the intravenous anesthetics propofol and thiopental interact with Aβ influencing the aggregation of Aβ in forms commonly found in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease. The results were strikingly different between the inhaled and injected anesthetics. The inhaled halothane and isoflurane had the most potent interaction with Aβ peptides causing the highest levels of Aβ aggregation. The injected anesthetic propofol only interacted and caused aggregation at high concentrations—interaction was not evident at lower concentrations. The intravenous thiopental did not cause the clustering of Aβ peptides even at high concentrations. Additionally, the molecular details for the interaction of these anesthetics with Aβ peptide were revealed.
Dr. Mandal noted that if the same thing occurs in humans, anesthetics could lead to more amyloid plaques which may lead to earlier memory problems, warranting further studies of anesthetics with Aβ both in laboratory and clinical settings.
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
"Our prior research had shown in molecular models that anesthetics may play a role by causing amyloid peptides to clump together—something that is thought to signal the advancement of Alzheimer's disease. In this study, we set out to see why this was happening and to determine if any one form of anesthesia might be a safer option than another," said Dr. Mandal.
In this study the researchers used NMR spectroscopy to determine how the inhaled anesthetics halothane and isoflurane and the intravenous anesthetics propofol and thiopental interact with Aβ influencing the aggregation of Aβ in forms commonly found in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease. The results were strikingly different between the inhaled and injected anesthetics. The inhaled halothane and isoflurane had the most potent interaction with Aβ peptides causing the highest levels of Aβ aggregation. The injected anesthetic propofol only interacted and caused aggregation at high concentrations—interaction was not evident at lower concentrations. The intravenous thiopental did not cause the clustering of Aβ peptides even at high concentrations. Additionally, the molecular details for the interaction of these anesthetics with Aβ peptide were revealed.
Dr. Mandal noted that if the same thing occurs in humans, anesthetics could lead to more amyloid plaques which may lead to earlier memory problems, warranting further studies of anesthetics with Aβ both in laboratory and clinical settings.
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Anesthetics Current Events and Anesthetics News RSSGeneral anesthetics lead to learning disabilities in animal models
Studies by researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine have shown that blocking the NMDA receptor in immature rats leads to profound, rapid brain injury and disruption of auditory function as the animals mature.
Infant pain, adult repercussions
Scientists at Georgia State University have uncovered the mechanisms of how pain in infancy alters how the brain processes pain in adulthood.
Finding of genetic region controlling cardiovascular sensitivity to anesthetic propofol
Researchers at The Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee have identified the genetic region in rats responsible for cardiovascular collapse during anesthesia.
Mayo researchers find anesthesia not harmful for babies during birth process
Mayo Clinic researchers have found that children exposed to anesthesia during Cesarean section are not at any higher risk for learning disabilities later in life than children not delivered by C-section.
Long-lasting Nerve Block Could Change Pain Management
Researchers at Children's Hospital Boston have developed a slow-release anesthetic drug-delivery system that could potentially revolutionize treatment of pain during and after surgery, and may also have a large impact on chronic pain management.
Penn Researchers Demonstrate a New Model for Drug Discovery With a Fluorescent Anesthetic
A collaboration of University of Pennsylvania and University of Wisconsin chemists and anesthesiologists have identified a fluorescent anesthetic compound that will assist researchers in obtaining more precise information about how anesthetics work in the body and will provide a means to more rapidly test new anesthetic compounds in the search for safer and more effective drugs.
Mayo researchers find link between anesthesia exposure and learning disabilities in children
Mayo Clinic researchers have found that children who require multiple surgeries under anesthesia during their first three years of life are at higher risk of developing learning disabilities later.
Plastic and reconstructive surgery ... in brief
New web-based research has quantified the attractiveness of the female form. Using morphing software, German researchers manipulated the features of one woman into 243 variations with differing leg lengths, weights, bust sizes, and hip and waist widths.
Flowering plants speed post-surgery recovery
Contact with nature has long been suspected to increase positive feelings, reduce stress, and provide distraction from the pain associated with recovery from surgery. Now, research has confirmed the beneficial effects of plants and flowers for patients recovering from abdominal surgery.
GSU study first to confirm long-term benefits of morphine treatment in infants
A recent study conducted by researchers at Georgia State University is the first of its kind to demonstrate that administration of preemptive morphine prior to a painful procedure in infancy blocks the long-term negative consequences of pain in adult rodents.
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Pharmacology and Physiology in Anesthetic Practice by Robert K Stoelting (Author), Simon C Hillier (Author) Dr. Stoelting's best-selling and highly acclaimed text, Pharmacology and Physiology in Anesthetic Practice, is now in its thoroughly updated Fourth Edition. In 60 concise, clearly written chapters, this book provides comprehensive, current, clinically oriented, authoritative information on all aspects of pharmacology and physiology that are relevant to perioperative patient management. This edition includes all new drugs and new findings on actions and interactions of established drugs. More than 400 diagrams and more than 100 tables complement the text. This edition's new two-color page design will help readers spot key information. A separate drug index is included for quick reference. "Doody's Core Titles™ 2009." |
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NEW Lido 4% Lidocaine 1 oz Anesthetic Cream Numbing by lidocain Lido 4% Lidocaine Cream ~ 1 oz Treatment Cream Description: Rapid anesthetic cream Ingredients: Lidocaine 4% Deionized water, SD Alcohol, Carbopol, Disodium EDTA, Benzyl Alcohol, Jeechem MLD, Aloe Vera Oil, Upoval J, Glycerin. Directions: Apply a thin layer of Lido cream to treatment area approximately 30 minutes to an hour to treatment for optimal comfort; Reapply additional lido cream to area to be treated prior to be treated 1 minute to starting procedure. Lidocaine may also be used to relieve irritation and inflammation in the mouth and throat. Some forms of this medication are used during certain procedures to reduce pain such as hair removal and tatoo's. |
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