There is a rapidly growing body of animal and clinical evidence suggesting that the exposure to anesthetics and sedatives during the critical stages of brain development results in long-lasting (perhaps permanent) impairment in cognitive development in a variety of mammalian species. With improved understanding of the mechanisms responsible for behavioral outcomes of anesthesia-induced developmental neurotoxicity, there is hope for development of protective strategies that will enable safe use of anesthesia in the youngest members of our society. Here, I review presently available evidence regarding anesthesia-induced neurocognitive and social behavioral impairments and possible strategies for preventing them. I also review limited and somewhat controversial evidence that examines the effects of nociception and surgical stimulation on anesthesia-Â induced developmental neurotoxicity. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York.
CITATION STYLE
Jevtovic-Todorovic, V. (2013). Functional implications of an early exposure to general anesthesia: Are we changing the behavior of our children? In Molecular Neurobiology (Vol. 48, pp. 288–293). Humana Press Inc. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12035-013-8488-5
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