Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction and the Protective Effects of Enriched Environment: A Systematic Review

Abstract

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Currently, the number of individuals who undergo surgery is greatly increased. As a consequence, postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) has gradually gained more attention. <b><i>Summary:</i></b> POCD is a perioperative complication requiring sensitive preoperative and postoperative neuropsychiatric tests, and its incidence in both cardiac and noncardiac surgery is high, especially in elderly individuals. Surgical, patient, and anesthetic factors may all lead to the occurrence and development of POCD. The key mechanism of POCD may be the inflammatory response of the central nervous system during surgery, which is similar to that of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Enriched environment (EE), a factor that can significantly improve and prevent neurodegenerative diseases, may have a beneficial effect on POCD. <b><i>Key Messages:</i></b> This review aims to elucidate the mechanism of the occurrence and development of POCD, analyze the possible influence of EE on POCD at the molecular level, and provide a direction for its treatment.