Anesthetic could potentially interfere with brain development in child patients.
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Brain development concerns with anesthetics in kids
A study on rodents has raised a red flag about a popular anesthetic called isoflurane's impact on brain growth during the formative years. Given its wide usage, this revelation is troubling, echoing earlier findings and even warnings from health authorities.
Each year, a substantial number of youngsters in the United States are administered general anesthetics. While these drugs are considered typically safe, concerns have been mounting. In 2017, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an alert on potential risks of using general anesthetic and sedation drugs on developing brains in children under three years old or pregnant women during their third trimester.
The FDA's worry stems from various studies that hint at long-term issues in children following anesthesia. Retrospective research found that children who underwent surgeries showed poorer performance in language and cognitive tests, and a rise in learning disorders.
Anesthesia and developing young brains
While the initial studies don't provide a direct link, it's crucial to consider factors such as underlying medical conditions, the surgical process, and a parent's stress during these periods. Beyond human research, animal investigations have reached similar conclusions.
For instance, a study on infant rhesus monkeys revealed increased frequency of anxiety-related behaviors at the age of 6 months after repeated anesthetic exposure.
A recent study by a team led by Eunchai Kang and Dr. David Mintz from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine intended to understand the connection between isoflurane and brain development. Their research is published in PLOS Biology.
First authorized for use in the U.S. in 1979, isoflurane is commonly used to treat children and generally regarded as safe and effective. The researchers primarily focused on its impact on the dentate gyrus, a crucial region of the hippocampus for learning and memory formation.
15-day-old mice were subjected to 4-hour doses of isoflurane, in line with human doses, and the development of their hippocampus was documented.
Tracing brain alterations
A significant impact on the dentate gyrus granule cells was observed due to the isoflurane. Specifically, their dendrites, or branches, were nearly double the length of the ones in untreated mice.
Known for its role in memory formation, the granule cells in the dentate gyrus develop late, especially in rats, with approximately 85% generated after birth. The researchers also noticed a reduction in the number of mature dendritic spines.
To assess learning and behavior, the researchers conducted object-place recognition tests and Y-maze tests on the mice. The mice treated with isoflurane exhibited "significant impairment" in both trials.
Lastly, the researchers discovered that the anesthetic might be producing these negative changes via a protein called mTOR.
Inhibiting the mTOR pathway has been found to prevent the negative cognitive effects and brain development changes triggered by anesthetics. Given mTOR's association with other neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorders and schizophrenia, further research is required to explore its role in isoflurane-induced cognitive changes.
So, what does all this imply? It suggests that significant exposure to general anesthetics during development can negatively impact the developing brain. With far-reaching implications, expect more research to delve deeper.
UNCOVER MORE ABOUT HOW GENERAL ANESTHETIC MAY AFFECT A CHILD'S INTELLIGENCE.
- This study on rodents has raised concerns about the impact of isoflurane, a popular anesthetic, on brain growth during the formative years.
- The FDA issued an alert in 2017 on potential risks of using general anesthetic and sedation drugs on developing brains in children under three years old or pregnant women during their third trimester.
- Retrospective research found that children who underwent surgeries showed poorer performance in language and cognitive tests and a rise in learning disorders.
- The initial studies don't provide a direct link, but factors such as underlying medical conditions, the surgical process, and a parent's stress during these periods should be considered.
- A study on infant rhesus monkeys revealed increased frequency of anxiety-related behaviors at the age of 6 months after repeated anesthetic exposure.
- A recent study by a team led by Eunchai Kang and Dr. David Mintz from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine aimed to understand the connection between isoflurane and brain development.
- Isoflurane, primarily focused on in the study, is commonly used to treat children and is generally regarded as safe and effective.
- The researchers found a significant impact on the dentate gyrus granule cells due to isoflurane, particularly an extension in the length of their dendrites.
- Known for its role in memory formation, the granule cells in the dentate gyrus develop late, especially in rats, with approximately 85% generated after birth.
- The researchers also noticed a reduction in the number of mature dendritic spines.
- To assess learning and behavior, the researchers conducted object-place recognition tests and Y-maze tests on the mice, and the treated mice exhibited "significant impairment" in both trials.
- Lastly, the researchers discovered that the anesthetic might be producing these negative changes via a protein called mTOR.
- Inhibiting the mTOR pathway has been found to prevent the negative cognitive effects and brain development changes triggered by anesthetics.
- Given mTOR's association with other neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorders and schizophrenia, further research is required to explore its role in isoflurane-induced cognitive changes.
- This research suggests that significant exposure to general anesthetics during development can negatively impact the developing brain, with far-reaching implications.
- Expect more research to delve deeper into how general anesthetics may affect a child's intelligence and overall brain development.
