Impact of Obesity on Post-operative Cognitive Dysfunction: Role of Adipose Tissue

The postoperative cognitive dysfunctions (POCD) are characterized by delirium and cognitive impairment. The delirium is defined by an acute altered attention with a fluctuating course. The post-operative cognitive impairment involves the early alteration of different functions including memory, attention and cognitive flexibility. POCD have a major impact in patient's morbidity. They are linked to the systemic inflammation induced by the surgical wound. The systemic inflammation leads to the rupture of the brain-blood barrier and to hippocampal inflammation. As hippocampus mediates the principal cognitive functions, hippocampal inflammation leads to POCD. Orthopedic and cardiac surgery are particularly concerned. Obesity is growing condition in the French population. It is linked to chronic systemic inflammation and altered cognitive functions. We think that obese people may present a susceptibility to POCD because of the pre-operative systemic inflammation.