Dexmedetomidine administration as a possible cognitive enhancer through increasing the level of brain-derived neurotrophic factors in surgical patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BMC Anesthesiology, vol. 24, pp. 256

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effect of dexmedetomidine on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in individuals undergoing various medical procedures. We systematically searched electronic databases and manually identified relevant articles to assess the impact of dexmedetomidine on BDNF levels in surgical patients. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science databases with no language restrictions. Studies that examined the effects of dexmedetomidine administration on BDNF levels in surgical patients were included. RESULTS: The overall analysis revealed a statistically significant increase in BDNF levels in individuals receiving dexmedetomidine compared to controls (Standardized Mean Difference SMD = 1.65, 95% CI: 1.02 to 2.28; I2: 89%). Subgroup analyses based on the anesthesia method (p < 0.01), and the type of surgery (p < 0.01) showed significant between-group differences (Fig. 3). The results of the sensitivity analyses indicated that individual studies did not significantly affect the overall results. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis indicates that dexmedetomidine administration is associated with a significant increase in BDNF levels in individuals undergoing surgical procedures. These findings highlight the potential role of dexmedetomidine in modulating BDNF levels, which may have implications for optimizing perioperative neuroprotective strategies and improving patient outcomes.

Authors 11

1. Masoud Dehbozorgi Aachen School of Medicine

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   School of Medicine, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

2. Ramin Bozorgmehr corresponding

   Alborz University of Medical Sciences

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Surgery, Shahid Madani Hospital, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran. raminchebozorgmehr@gmail.com

   Department of Surgery, Shahid Madani Hospital, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran

3. Javad Zebarjadi Bagherpour‎

   Alborz University of Medical Sciences

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Surgery, Shahid Madani Hospital, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran

4. Arman Shafiee corresponding

   Alborz University of Medical Sciences

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Surgery, Shahid Madani Hospital, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran. armanshafieemd@gmail.com

   Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran. armanshafieemd@gmail.com

   Department of Surgery, Shahid Madani Hospital, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran

5. Ida Mohammadi

   Shahid Beheshti University · Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences

   Affiliation as printed

   School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

6. Mohammad Javad Amini

   Alborz University of Medical Sciences

   Affiliation as printed

   Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran

7. Niloofar Seighali

   Alborz University of Medical Sciences

   Affiliation as printed

   Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran

8. Kyana Jafarabady

   Alborz University of Medical Sciences

   Affiliation as printed

   Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran

9. Shahryar Rajai Firouzabadi

   Shahid Beheshti University · Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences

   Affiliation as printed

   School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

10. Diba Akbarzade

    Shahid Beheshti University · Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences

    Affiliation as printed

    School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

11. Razman Arabzadeh Bahri

    Tehran University of Medical Sciences

    Affiliation as printed

    School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran