Geriatric Anesthesia Research Unit (GARU)

Summary Science Features

The long-term mission of the Geriatric Anesthesia Research Unit (GARU) at the Massachusetts General Hospital Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care is to improve the perioperative experience of the elderly patient undergoing surgery. Led by Dr. Zhongcong Xie, the Unit is situated at the Mass General-East Charlestown research facilities.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the greatest public health problems in the US, and its impact will only increase with demographic changes anticipated in the coming decades. Post-operative cognitive dysfunction (POCD), a disorder including impairment of learning and memory following anesthesia and surgery, can significantly affect post-operative recovery of patients. Our lab studies the pathology of and seeks potential treatments for AD and POCD.