Anaesthesia as a risk factor for long-term cognitive decline: Results of the prospective MAAS cohort study
Authors' conclusion
Increased exposure to surgery under general anaesthesia independently contributes to long-term cognitive decline.
Study context
- Population
- Adults aged 25–84 with normal cognitive functioning on inclusion, 3 serial cognitive assessments 1995–2008, the Netherlands
- Participants
- 1,823 adults
- Exposure
- Estimated total time under GA at baseline (exposure) and long-term cognitive development
- Outcome
- Test scores in learning and memory, executive function, selective attention, mental speed and information processing speed
- Follow-up
- 12-year follow-up
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Cognitive domains vs prolonged exposure to surgery under GA (total baseline minutes)
- CST (executive functioning) negatively affected
- P < 0.05
- Stroop (selective attention and mental speed) negatively affected
- P < 0.001
- LDST (information processing speed) negatively affected
- P < 0.005
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Other factors in cognitive decline
- Age and education the primary factors impacting lifetime cognitive decline
- Hypertension, diabetes and smoking negatively affected various cognitive domains
Original publication
Anaesthesia as a risk factor for long-term cognitive decline: Results of the prospective MAAS cohort study. Eur J Anaesthesiol. Published 17 February 2025. doi:10.
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