Research Projects

This research project aims to compare the effectiveness of dexmedetomidine, a centrally acting alpha-2 agonist, on postoperative cognitive changes in patients undergoing brain surgeries. The study will compare dexmedetomidine intervention with saline control administration during elective brain surgeries in adult patients. The study population will include adult consenting patients undergoing elective brain surgeries under general anesthesia. The primary outcomes will be the incidence of ED and POD during the hospital stay, while secondary outcomes will include pre-post changes in stress biomarkers, acute postoperative pain, POCD, quality of life, and chronic pain at 3 and 6 months. The findings will inform the need for change in current clinical practice if dexmedetomidine significantly reduces the spectrum of postoperative cognitive dysfunctions in the neurosurgical population.