Drug safety
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Numerous preclinical and clinical studies investigating the neurodevelopmental and neurocognitive effects of exposure to anesthesia and the combination of anesthesia and surgery have demonstrated histopathological and both temporary and long-term cognitive and behavioral effects at the extremes of the human age spectrum. Increasing coverage in the lay press for both our youngest and oldest patient populations has led to heightened concerns regarding the potential harmful side effects of almost all commonly used anesthetic drug regimens. ⋯ Given this information, no single anesthetic or group of anesthetics can be recommended over any other in terms of causing or preventing negative neurocognitive outcomes in either population. This review summarizes the growing body of preclinical and clinical literature dedicated to the detrimental effects of anesthesia on both the developing and the aging brain.