Journal of neurosurgical anesthesiology
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J Neurosurg Anesthesiol · Oct 2016
ReviewMolecular Mechanisms of Anesthetic Neurotoxicity: A Review of the Current Literature.
Data from epidemiologic studies and animal models have raised a concern that exposure to anesthetic agents during early postnatal life may cause lasting impairments in cognitive function. It is hypothesized that this is due to disruptions in brain development, but the mechanism underlying this toxic effect remains unknown. ⋯ The level of evidence for each putative mechanism is critically evaluated, and we attempt to draw connections between them where it is possible to do so. Although there are many promising avenues of research, at this time no consensus can be reached as to a definitive mechanism of injury.