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Functional Implications of an Early Exposure to General Anesthesia: Are We Changing the Behavior of Our Children?

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Abstract

There is a rapidly growing body of animal and clinical evidence suggesting that the exposure to anesthetics and sedatives during the critical stages of brain development results in long-lasting (perhaps permanent) impairment in cognitive development in a variety of mammalian species. With improved understanding of the mechanisms responsible for behavioral outcomes of anesthesia-induced developmental neurotoxicity, there is hope for development of protective strategies that will enable safe use of anesthesia in the youngest members of our society. Here, I review presently available evidence regarding anesthesia-induced neurocognitive and social behavioral impairments and possible strategies for preventing them. I also review limited and somewhat controversial evidence that examines the effects of nociception and surgical stimulation on anesthesia-­induced developmental neurotoxicity.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by NIH/NICHD HD 44517, John E. Fogarty Award TW007423-128322, ARRA supplement NIH/NICHD HD 44517, March of Dimes National Award,. and Harold Carron endowment. VJT was an Established Investigator of the American Heart Association.

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  1. Dept. of Anesthesiology, University of Virginia Health System, PO Box 800710, Charlottesville, VA, 22908-0710, USA

    Vesna Jevtovic-Todorovic

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  1. Vesna Jevtovic-Todorovic
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Correspondence to Vesna Jevtovic-Todorovic.

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Jevtovic-Todorovic, V. Functional Implications of an Early Exposure to General Anesthesia: Are We Changing the Behavior of Our Children?. Mol Neurobiol 48, 288–293 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12035-013-8488-5

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