Brain Cell Death due to Anesthesia Prevented by Cooling the Brain in Young Mice

The effects of anesthesia on babies and young children have concerned parents and has been debated among neuroscientists. However, more and more research suggests that exposure to anesthesia during brain development may contribute to development and behavior delays. 

The Washington University School of Medicine conducted research on infant mice exposed to anesthesia and discovered that cooling the brain may prevent the death of their nerve cells - also known as neuroapoptosis. This same team previously demonstrated that a small dose of anesthesia to an infant mouse (anesthetized for an hour) triggered neuroapoptosis.

"Cooling the brain seems to be quite effective in suppressing nerve cell death after an infant animal has been exposed to an anesthetic drug," says John W. Olney, M.D., senior investigator and the John P. Feighner Professor of Neuropsychopharmacology. "We don't yet know whether this cooling only temporarily suppresses or whether it permanently prevents this brain damage from occurring. We're currently working to clarify that."

If it is found that cooling the brain permanently prevents nerve cell death, this method could have a profound impact on preventing developmental delays potentially induced by anesthesia.

"We believe there are certain early periods when the damage is not only more likely to be severe, but it's also likely to be more widespread throughout different regions of the brain," says Olney. "Naturally, if more of the brain is involved and damage to those regions is more severe, it's going to cause more pronounced neural and cognitive consequences."

So how would this cooling be achieved? The researchers believe by cooling the entire body or by applying a cooling helmet to the head. Dr. Olney has also demonstrated that lithium may provide similar protection against potential damage from anesthesia.
Funding from the National Institutes of Health supported this research.

Reference: Washington University School of Medicine (2008, November 24). Cooling The Brain Prevents Cell Death In Young Mice Exposed To Anesthesia. ScienceDaily. Retrieved November 23, 2008,

from http://www.sciencedaily.com­/releases/2008/11/081117121224.htm