# Mechanisms Mediating Postoperative Neurocognitive Disorders

> **NIH NIH K23** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES · 2021 · $135,284

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
 The objective of this K23 application is to provide additional training and mentored research experience for
Dr. Vacas to establish herself as an independent investigator focused on understanding the mechanisms
mediating Postoperative Neurocognitive Disorders (PNCD) in at-risk populations, such as patients with
obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The career development plan consists of obtaining further training in brain
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), data acquisition and analysis techniques, clinical science research, and
administration of cognitive tests. To achieve training goals, Dr. Vacas has developed a focused research study
and assembled an outstanding mentoring team. The primary mentor, Rajesh Kumar, PhD, is an expert in
radiologic MRI techniques and interpretation, as well as neuroscience. Dr. Vacas’ co-mentors, Jeffrey Saver,
MD, Daniel Cole, MD, and Nancy Pike, PhD will assist in the development of the clinical study, anesthetic
management, and assessment of cognition, respectively. Dr. Vacas also assembled a Research Advisory
Committee, consisting of outstanding faculty members of the UCLA research community, including Maxime
Cannesson, MD, PhD (who will provide support regarding hemodynamic management), Barbara Van de Wiele,
MD (who will serve as mentor in the departmental Faculty Career Development and Growth program), and David
Elashoff, PhD (who will provide statistical support). The plan is designed to provide the additional training and
mentored research experience needed to extend Dr. Vacas’s research program, deepen its impact by integrating
the biological interface between PNCD and brain sites and compete successfully for future R01 funding.
 PNCD, which include postoperative delirium and both acute and long-lasting neurocognitive deficits, are a
significant public health problem, leading to a cascade of deleterious complications. Although the exact
pathophysiology remains poorly understood, surgery and/or anesthesia-induced neuro-inflammation can
exacerbate the underlying state of chronic neuro-inflammation present within at-risk populations. The confluence
of these events provide us with a window to examine and understand PNCD processes and mechanisms.
Reports of links between PNCD and brain changes in humans are scarce and small in number. This project will
use a consistent intraoperative anesthetic plan which will reduce variability introduced from these potentially
confounding factors. The study proposes that neuro-inflammation is associated with measurable brain
morphologic findings that can be discovered with non-invasive diffusion tensor imaging and blood biomarkers.
 In summary, the overall purpose of this study is to examine the mechanisms of brain injury contributing to
PNCD in an at-risk population (OSA) undergoing surgery. The proposed study has the potential to dramatically
impact clinical practice, benefiting not only OSA, but also the general surgical population. In addition, this stud...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10242061
- **Project number:** 5K23GM132795-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES
- **Principal Investigator:** Susana Vacas
- **Activity code:** K23 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $135,284
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-09-20 → 2022-07-01

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10242061

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10242061, Mechanisms Mediating Postoperative Neurocognitive Disorders (5K23GM132795-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10242061. Licensed CC0.

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