Genetics

The brain is a complex organ affected by thousands of genes. Through considerable investigation, the Duke DREAM Team was able to identify genes that are related to memory loss following heart surgery. Our study results show that patients who carry certain forms of a gene may be more susceptible to memory decline after the physical stress associated with heart surgery. Our research findings suggest that the body’s ability to maintain and repair nerve cells may be impaired in patients who carry these genes, causing them to be more susceptible to memory loss after surgery. Although our understanding of genetics and memory decline is not complete, the association observed holds promise for an entirely new approach to the prediction and, more importantly, prevention of memory loss after surgery.