Scientists from Brown University have found that postoperative delirium (hallucinations, impaired perception) may precede cognitive decline in older people. Research published JAMA Internal Medicine.
The study followed 560 adults aged 70 and over. Their intelligence was assessed semi-annually for 36 months and then annually for six years.
Delirium is an altered mental state accompanied by confusion and disorientation. The researchers found that seniors who recovered from postoperative delirium experienced mental decline 40% faster than those without delirium.
These results suggest that postoperative delirium may contribute to cognitive decline and even dementia. It’s also possible that delirium is more common in those who are already prone to faster mental decline. More research is needed to explain its effects.