Abstract

Muhammad Zeeshan Pasha, Naima Khan, Ifra Shafique

Introduction: Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) is known to support neuronal survival, differentiation and several forms of synaptic plasticity, therefore BDNF plays an important role in synaptogenesis of the mammalian brain. Objectives: The main objective of the study is to analyse the effect of minor surgery under propofol anaesthesia on brain BDNF and cognition. Material and methods: This descriptive study was conducted in Allied Hospital Faisalabad during July 2019 to March 2020. Remembering that adult plasma BDNF concentrations are correlated with age, gender, and Body Mass Index (BMI), we planned to choose only male patients, from 40 to 60 years old, and with a BMI of 20 to 30. Results: The data was collected from 40 patients. In group A, BDNF plasma concentrations were 196.1 ± 36.7 pg/ml at baseline and decreased to 120.9 ± 17.6 pg/ml 15 minutes after anesthesia induction. At the time point of skin closure, the BDNF plasma concentration increased to 167.3 ± 19.9 pg/ml and remained high (154.9 ± 28.6 pg/ml) 5 minutes after extubation. Twenty-four hours after the operation, the BDNF plasma concentrations fell below the baseline (126.8 ± 28.2 pg/ml). In group B, the baseline BDNF plasma concentration was 173.8 ± 40.0 pg/ml, which was comparable with that in group A. Conclusion: It is concluded that general anesthesia could reverse the reduced BDNF plasma concentrations caused by anesthetics during and 24 hours after surgery