Anesthesia may mess with your memory – new study investigates
NCT ID NCT05991817
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This observational study at the University of Chile will test whether sevoflurane, a common general anesthetic, temporarily impairs spatial memory in 22 adults aged 30-50 undergoing elective gallbladder surgery. Participants will complete a virtual maze test and provide blood samples before and after surgery to measure memory changes and inflammation markers. The goal is to better understand how anesthesia affects the brain, not to test a new treatment.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- sevoflurane
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could help doctors understand how anesthesia affects memory, potentially leading to ways to prevent memory problems after surgery.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small observational study (22 people) that only looks at short-term memory effects. It cannot prove cause and effect, 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.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Centro de Investigación Cínica Avanzada (CICA), Hospital Clinico de la Universidad de Chile
RECRUITINGSantiago, RM, 7690306, Chile
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Hospital Clinico de la Universidad de Chile
RECRUITINGSantiago, RM, 7690306, Chile