# Evaluating the association between surgery and subsequent cognitive function, everyday functioning, and independence

> **NIH NIH K23** · MAGEE-WOMEN'S RES INST AND FOUNDATION · 2022 · $170,556

## Abstract

PROJECT ABSTRACT
The purpose of this K23 career development award is to support Dr. Ackenbom's long term career goal of
becoming an independent surgeon-scientist advancing knowledge on cognitive impairment after surgery used
to improve surgical outcomes and quality of life for older patients. Recognizing postoperative neurocognitive
disorder (pNCD), previously termed postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD), in surgical patients is
essential as it is associated with delayed postoperative recovery, greater loss of independence, increased
morbidity, mortality, and substantial health care costs. In the United States, approximately 35% of all surgeries
are performed on adults ≥65 years, and with the increase in the aging population, the number of surgeries and
thus pNCD incidence is expected to rise. pNCD/POCD is characterized as a largely transient deterioration of
concentration, information processing, and memory often lasting days to months, but there are studies
reporting cognitive impairment after surgery lasting years. Cognitive impairment occurring more than 12
months after surgery is concerning for an ongoing diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment or other cognitive
diagnoses, inclusive of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD).There is a critical research need to
examine the longitudinal course of cognitive impairment after surgery and its influence on everyday
functioning, independence, and quality of life as it is not well understood. We propose a study using linked
2011-2017 data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS), a population-based study focused
on late-life functioning over time, with Medicare claims data, inclusive of surgical data variables as well as
building upon a surgical patient cohort with available detailed neuropsychological testing results to address the
following aims: 1) compare change in cognitive performance of persons ≥65 years who underwent major
noncardiac elective surgery and those who did not, 2) compare change in everyday functioning in persons ≥65
years who underwent major noncardiac elective surgery and those who did not, 3) assess change in cognitive
performance and diagnosis two years after prolapse surgery in women ≥70 years previously enrolled in
Ackenbom et. al study assessing pNCD. The training aims in this proposal are: 1) To build on foundational
knowledge in measurement of a range of cognitive abilities in clinical research settings and 2) To enhance my
knowledge and understanding in research and clinical diagnosis and management of cognitive impairment
disorders in general and in particular, ADRD, to incorporate into future study designs involving cognitive
evaluation in perioperative settings. This study will determine appropriate effect sizes in preparation for future
studies to conduct an extended assessment of cognitive performance and cognitive diagnoses, including
pNCD and incident dementia, after undergoing major noncardiac elective surgery in persons ≥70 years ov...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10489716
- **Project number:** 5K23AG073517-02
- **Recipient organization:** MAGEE-WOMEN'S RES INST AND FOUNDATION
- **Principal Investigator:** Mary F. Ackenbom
- **Activity code:** K23 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $170,556
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-09-30 → 2024-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10489716

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10489716, Evaluating the association between surgery and subsequent cognitive function, everyday functioning, and independence (5K23AG073517-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10489716. Licensed CC0.

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