Developmental disruption of brain tissue oxygen regulation and deficiency of learning after neonatal anesthesia exposure

Endeavor Health Clinical Operations, Evanston IL

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Abstract

Each year, millions of people, including six million children, undergo general anesthesia for surgeries, medical imaging, and other procedures. The potential negative effects of anesthesia on the developing brain are concerning, as they may lead to later learning and behavioral deficits. Currently, there are limited instrumental methods available for diagnosing and predicting anesthesia-induced disabilities, as well as limited treatment options. However, transcranial magnetic and electric stimulation (TMES) is an established, non-invasive method that enables the assessment of the excitatory and inhibitory properties of the brain. In addition to its diagnostic role, specific modalities of TMES can produce long-lasting changes in local brain excitability by stimulating neuronal plasticity and synaptogenesis. It is expected that TMES will aid in both diagnosing and treating disabilities related to anesthesia exposure during childhood.