New study aims to shield aging brains from Surgery's mental fog

NCT ID NCT07576543

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This long-term study follows older adults (65-90) who are having non-cardiac surgery to see if a combination of two drugs (dexmedetomidine and esketamine) plus a gentle brain stimulation technique (tDCS) can prevent memory and thinking problems that sometimes occur after surgery. The study will track participants for 3 months and beyond, looking at cognitive function and overall health. It aims to find a way to protect the brains of older patients during and after surgery.

What this could mean

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

Active substance

Dexmedetomidine-esketamine combination and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)

What this could lead to

If successful, this could point toward a way to prevent long-term cognitive decline in older adults after surgery, improving their quality of life.

What could go wrong

This is a follow-up of an ongoing trial, so results are not yet available. The interventions may not show benefit, and individual responses can vary.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • First Affilited Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University

    Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310006, China

    Contact Email: •••••@•••••

  • Fujian Medical University Union Hospital

    Fuzhou, Fujian, 362011, China

    Contact Email: •••••@•••••

  • Peking University First Hospital

    Beijing, Beijing Municipality, 100034, China

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

  • Peking University Shenzhen Hospital

    Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518036, China

    Contact Email: •••••@•••••

  • Second Affilited Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University

    Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310009, China

    Contact Email: •••••@•••••

  • Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University

    Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710032, China

    Contact Email: •••••@•••••