New study aims to stop Post-Surgery brain fog in seniors
NCT ID NCT07576517
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests two approaches—a combination of medicines (dexmedetomidine and esketamine) and a gentle brain stimulation technique (tDCS)—to prevent confusion and memory problems after surgery in older adults. About 1,160 patients aged 65-90 with mild cognitive issues will be enrolled. The goal is to see if these methods can protect brain function during recovery.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 4
Runs after approval, following long-term safety and how well the treatment works in everyday use.
- Participants
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About 1,160 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Jun 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Jun 2030
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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65 to 90 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Aged 65 to 90 years; * Preoperative Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score \< 27 points, indicating possible cognitive impairment ranging from mild to moderate; * Scheduled to undergo elective non-cardiac, non-neurosurgical surgery under general anesthesia, with an expected surgical duration \> 1 hour; * Required patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) after surgery. Exclusion Criteria: * Preoperative inability to communicate due to coma, severe dementia, end-stage disease, or language impairment; * History of schizophrenia, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, brain trauma/surgery, or myasthenia gravis; * Presence of metal implants in the intracranial or cervical region (such as cochlear implants, aneurysm clips, deep brain stimulation electrodes), or skin damage or severe skin disease on the head; * Severe cardiac dysfunction (left ventricular ejection fraction \< 30%), comorbid with sick sinus syndrome, severe bradycardia (heart rate \< 50 bpm), or second-degree or higher atrioventricular block, or implantation of a cardiac pacemaker; * Uncontrolled hyperthyroidism or pheochromocytoma; * Severe liver dysfunction (Child-Pugh class C), severe renal dysfunction (requiring dialysis), or ASA classification ≥ IV; * Allergy to dexmedetomidine or esketamine; * Participation in other clinical studies within the past 3 months; * Other conditions that are deemed unsuitable for study participation.
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As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
6 sites. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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First Affilited Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University
Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310006, China
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Fujian Medical University Union Hospital
Fuzhou, Fujian, 362011, China
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Peking University First Hospital
Beijing, Beijing Municipality, 100034, China
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Peking University Shenzhen Hospital
Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518036, China
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Second Affilited Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University
Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310009, China
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Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University
Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710032, China
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