# Relationship between CNS Tau burden and perioperative neurocognitive disorder

> **NIH NIH R21** · UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA · 2021 · $219,248

## Abstract

Summary: Post-operative neurocognitive disorder is common after all forms of surgery in older adults. The
mechanisms are multifactorial, and probably require pre-existing neuropathology, whether symptomatic or
not. Preclinical and human CSF studies suggests that anesthesia and surgery elicits an increment in CNS
tauopathy, which may accelerate any pre-existing neuropathology and produce a risk of delirium and the
commonly reported changes in cognition. We here propose an observational clinical study at two sites to
determine whether pre-operative CNS tauopathy as reflected by PET imaging predicts delirium and other
cognitive and functional outcomes. This is important since these outcomes may also predict Alzheimer
Disease and other dementias. Further, we will determine if anesthesia and spine surgery produces a
change in brain tau burden in older adults, as compared to control, non-operative patients. We will also
measure pre- and post-surgery blood biomarkers of inflammation, as well as cognitive status using detailed
neuropsychological tests. The primary aims of this phased study is to first establish an integrated team,
infrastructure and provide preliminary data supporting feasibility, and then to embark on a two-site
observational study in approximately 30 patients and 30 controls to address the above goals.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10232053
- **Project number:** 5R21AG067114-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
- **Principal Investigator:** Roderic G Eckenhoff
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $219,248
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-09-01 → 2023-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10232053

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10232053, Relationship between CNS Tau burden and perioperative neurocognitive disorder (5R21AG067114-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10232053. Licensed CC0.

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