Neurological Aging and Pharmacological Management of Geriatric Patients

AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis review will focus on changes in nervous system with aging, alteration in neuro-connectivity with aging, changes in dosing of anesthetic drugs with aging, and current practice patterns of anesthetic drug dosing in the elderly patients.Recent FindingsNeuro-connectivity continues to evolve throughout the life span. After the age of 40 years, functional connectivity becomes less segregated and specific. Evaluation of current practice patterns suggest that practitioners are liberal in administering anesthetics in the elderly patients and frequently exceed the recommended dose range.SummaryFunctional connectivity continues to evolve with aging and becomes less segregated and specific. Though it is well recognized that elderly patients require less dose of anesthetic drugs, this has not translated into clinical practice.
Source: Current Anesthesiology Reports - Category: Anesthesiology Source Type: research