80 Does having a general anaesthetic affect memory?

IN SOME people, a general anaesthetic can cause ‘acute and permanent changes in memory’, says psychiatrist Dr Tony Rao. Those most at risk are older people — ‘I’d say the risk starts to increase from around 65’ — who have health problems affecting circulation, such as heart failure, or where the arteries are narrowed.

That’s because a general anaesthetic causes changes in blood or oxygen flow to the brain. If your blood flow is already poor, it may affect brain function. Anaesthetic may also trigger an inflammatory process in the brain, which can interfere with how cells communicate.

‘Sometimes the changes to memory can be temporary, lasting weeks or months, but for others it will be more enduring,’ says Dr Rao.

‘It’s most common among those with dementia — it won’t trigger it per se, but it can make it worse. So if you or a loved one have it and face a general anaesthetic, talk to your GP or consultant about the gains of the operation over possible risks to memory. If it’s life-saving surgery usually there will be little doubt.’