The Effect of Intravenous Lidocaine on Postoperative Cognitive Function in Elderly Patients

Effects of Intravenous Lidocaine on Serum BDNF, NGF, miRNA-206 and miRNA-98 in Elderly Patients Undergoing Abdominal Surgery Under General Anesthesia

The purpose of this study is to investigate the efficacy of intravenous lidocaine on BDNF, NGF, miRNA-206 and miRNA-98 in serum in elderly patients undergoing abdominal surgery under general anesthesia.

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a major complication following surgeries and anesthesia, especially in elderly individuals. Lidocaine, an inexpensive, widely available, and relatively safe compound, is a local anesthetic that readily crosses the blood-brain barrier. Intravenous lidocaine can reduce the incidence of POCD. However, the mechanism is still unclear.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF), which are regulated by miRNA-206 and miRNA-98 respectively, play a key role in learning, memory, and cognition. Previous studies have shown that the levels of BDNF and NGF can be improved by lidocaine.

The objective of this study is to investigate the efficacy of intravenous lidocaine on the incidence of early POCD, and the levels of BDNF, NGF, miRNA-206 and miRNA-98 in elderly patients undergoing abdominal surgery under general anesthesia.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients were scheduled by following abdominal surgery under general anesthesia
• Aged 65 - 80 years
• ASA physical status Ⅱ-Ⅲ

Exclusion Criteria:

• Severe heart, pulmonary, hepatic and renal insufficiency
• History of neurological diseases (including Alzheimer's disease and stroke history)
• Psychological disorder, and drug or alcohol abuse
• History of anesthesia and surgery
• psychiatric illness
• Unwillingness to comply with the protocol or procedures
• Allergic to lidocaine
• Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score<23 before surgery