“After undergoing surgery, elderly patients often experience cloudy thinking that can last for weeks or even months. At one time researchers thought this cognitive decline might be caused by anesthesia, but mounting evidence suggests that heightened inflammation in the brain following surgery is the more likely cause.”

LTC Comment (from Stephen A. Moses, President, Center for Long-Term Care Reform):
Take away: If you’re applying for LTCI, schedule your Minnesota Cognitive Acuity Screen (MCAS) and/or Enhanced Mental Skills Test (EMST) before, not after, your surgery.

Cognitive decline after surgery tied to brain’s own immune cells

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