Brain-Monitored anesthesia could cut Post-Surgery confusion in seniors

NCT ID NCT04443517

Not yet recruiting Symptom relief Sponsor: Columbia University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study will test whether using EEG brain monitoring to adjust pain medicine during surgery can reduce the risk of delirium (sudden confusion) after surgery in adults aged 60 and older. Researchers plan to enroll 600 participants undergoing non-cardiac, non-head/neck surgery lasting at least 2 hours. The approach involves real-time EEG alpha power optimization and a low-dose sedative infusion near the end of surgery.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: EEG-guided analgesic titration (procedure) and dexmedetomidine infusion (drug)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a simple way to reduce postoperative confusion in older adults using brain monitoring.
What could go wrong: This is an early-stage study that hasn't started recruiting yet. It's not testing a cure, and results may not apply to all surgeries or patients.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Emergence Delirium

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

POSTOPERATIVE DELIRIUM

Contacts and locations

Locations

Columbia University Irving Medical Center

New York, New York, 10032, United States

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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.