Could a common anesthetic drug shield elderly brains after surgery?
NCT ID NCT07665099
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether esketamine, a drug used in anesthesia, can help older adults recover their thinking and memory more quickly after oral and maxillofacial surgery. About 98 people aged 60 and older will be randomly assigned to receive either esketamine or a placebo during surgery. Their cognitive function will be checked before surgery and several times afterward using standard tests.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- esketamine
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a way to protect brain function in older adults after surgery.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage trial with only 98 people. The drug may not improve thinking skills and could have side effects like dizziness or nausea.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
The Third Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University
Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710032, China
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