Perioperative Neurocognitive DisordersNCT07665099
The Effect of Esketamine on Postoperative Cognitive Function in Elderly Patients Undergoing Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
A study testing esketamine and Normal Saline in people with Perioperative Neurocognitive Disorders, run by Xijing Hospital at 1 site in China.
Trial summary
Esketamine is a common anesthetic adjuvant. Previous studies have shown that it may have protective effects on the brain. This study aims to investigate whether esketamine can improve cognitive function recovery in elderly patients (aged 60 years and older) undergoing oral and maxillofacial surgery. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 60 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Perioperative Neurocognitive Disorders
- What is being tested?
- esketamine and Normal Saline
- Type of treatment
- Pill or oral medicine, Injection or infusion
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 98 participants
- Where
- 1 siteChina
- Study dates
- 1 Jul 2026to 31 Jan 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 60 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Age ≥ 60 years, either sex; Scheduled for elective oral and maxillofacial surgery under general anesthesia (including oral and maxillofacial tumor surgery, orthognathic surgery, and maxillofacial trauma repair surgery); American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I-III; Expected duration of anesthesia ≥ 2 hours; Willing and able to provide written informed consent.
Who cannot join
- Pre-existing behavioral disorders or psychiatric diseases (e.g., Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease), or current use of antipsychotic medications (e.g., clozapine, risperidone, olanzapine, haloperidol, chlorpromazine); Pre-existing severe organ dysfunction including: severe cardiovascular disease (life-threatening arrhythmias, severe uncontrolled hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart failure), severe respiratory disease (respiratory failure, severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), severe hepatic insufficiency (Child-Pugh Class C), or severe renal insufficiency (glomerular filtration rate < 30 mL/min or creatinine > 2.5 mg/dL); Known contraindications to esketamine including: hypersensitivity to the active substance or any excipients; severe risk of elevated blood pressure or intracranial pressure; uncontrolled or untreated hypertension (resting systolic/diastolic blood pressure > 180/100 mmHg); preeclampsia or eclampsia; untreated or inadequately treated hyperthyroidism; conditions requiring uterine relaxation (e.g., uterine rupture, umbilical cord prolapse); use as the sole anesthetic in patients with significant ischemic heart disease; Surgical approach that would interfere with postoperative MoCA assessment; Concurrent participation in another clinical trial; Pre-existing cognitive impairment or Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score < 24, unable to complete questionnaire-based assessments.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
China1 site
The Third Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University
Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710032
Guanghui Hao, Master's Candidate, +86 15291285018, 15291285018@163.com
About this study
Official title: Effect of Esketamine on Postoperative Cognitive Function in Elderly Patients Undergoing Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery: A Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Parallel Clinical Trial
Esketamine is a common anesthetic adjuvant. Previous studies have shown that it may have protective effects on the brain. This study aims to investigate whether esketamine can improve cognitive function recovery in elderly patients (aged 60 years and older) undergoing oral and maxillofacial surgery.
Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either esketamine or a placebo (normal saline) during anesthesia. Neither the participants nor the researchers will know which treatment is given.
Read more
Cognitive function will be assessed using standardized tests before surgery and at 1, 3, 7, and 15 days after surgery. Sleep quality, pain scores, emotional status, and adverse events will also be recorded. Blood samples will be collected to explore potential mechanisms.
The study is expected to enroll approximately 98 participants at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University in Xi'an, China. Participation will last about 16 days from the day before surgery to the final follow-up on day 15 after surgery.
- Conditions
- Perioperative Neurocognitive Disorders
- Being tested
- esketamine, Normal Saline
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
esketamineDrug
Esketamine is administered as an intravenous bolus of 0.3 mg/kg (over 1 minute) after anesthesia induction, followed by a continuous intravenous infusion of 0.3 mg/kg/h until 30 minutes before the end of surgery. The drug is diluted with normal saline to a total volume of 10 mL and prepared in identical syringes to ensure blinding. This intervention is used as the experimental treatment to assess its effect on postoperative cognitive recovery in elderly patients undergoing oral and maxillofacial surgery
Normal SalineDrug
Normal saline is used as the placebo control. It is administered as an intravenous bolus of equal volume after anesthesia induction, followed by a continuous intravenous infusion at an equal rate until 30 minutes before the end of surgery. The saline is prepared in identical syringes to the experimental drug to maintain double-blind conditions. This intervention serves as the comparator to evaluate the specific effect of esketamine on postoperative cognitive recovery
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Esketamine Group | Experimental | Participants in this arm will receive an intravenous bolus of esketamine 0.3 mg/kg (administered over 1 minute) after anesthesia induction, followed by a continuous infusion of 0.3 mg/kg/h, which will be discontinued 30 minutes before the end of surgery. The drug will be prepared in normal saline to a total volume of 10 mL and administered in a double-blind manner Receives: Drug: esketamine |
| Normal Saline Group | Placebo comparator | Participants in this arm will receive an equal volume of normal saline at the same time points as the experimental group: a bolus after anesthesia induction followed by a continuous infusion, which will be discontinued 30 minutes before the end of surgery. The placebo will be prepared in identical syringes to maintain blinding Receives: Drug: Normal Saline |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) Score on Postoperative Day 1
Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) Score on Postoperative Day 1
Measured: Day 1 after surgery
Secondary outcomes (7)
Telephone-Montreal Cognitive Assessment (T-MoCA) Score at Postoperative Days 3, 7, and 15
The Telephone-Montreal Cognitive Assessment (T-MoCA) is an adapted version of the MoCA designed for telephone administration, removing visual-dependent items. Total scores range from 0 to 22, with higher scores indicating better cognitive function. It will be administered by trained assessors blinded to group allocation at postoperative days 3, 7, and 15 to track cognitive recovery trajectory
Measured: Postoperative days 3, 7, and 15
Sleep Quality Assessed by Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS) at Postoperative Days 1 and 3
The Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS) is an 8-item self-report questionnaire assessing sleep quality over the past 24 hours. Total scores range from 0 to 24, with higher scores indicating worse sleep quality: 0-3 = no insomnia; 4-6 = mild insomnia; 7-10 = moderate insomnia; ≥11 = severe insomnia.
Measured: Postoperative days 1 and 3
Pain Intensity Measured by Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at Postoperative Hours 6, 12, and 24
The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) is a 10-cm horizontal line anchored by "no pain" at 0 and "worst imaginable pain" at 10. Patients mark their current pain level, and the distance from 0 is measured in millimeters. Scores range from 0 to 10, with higher scores indicating more severe pain.
Measured: Postoperative hours 6, 12, and 24
Emotional Status Assessed by Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) at Postoperative Days 1 and 3
The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) is a 14-item self-report questionnaire with two subscales: anxiety (7 items) and depression (7 items). Each item is scored 0-3, with subscale scores ranging from 0 to 21. Higher scores indicate worse mood disturbance. Scores ≥11 on either subscale indicate clinically significant symptoms.
Measured: Postoperative days 1 and 3
Incidence of Rescue Analgesia
Rescue analgesia is defined as the administration of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump when postoperative VAS score reaches ≥4. The incidence will be recorded and compared between groups
Measured: During the first 24 hours after surgery
serological indicators
Peripheral venous blood samples (3 mL) will be collected at baseline (1 day before surgery) and at 24 hours after surgery. Serum levels of inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6), neuronal injury marker S100β protein, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and neurofilament light chain (NfL) will be measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Correlations between biomarker changes and cognitive outcomes will be explored.
Measured: Baseline (1 day before surgery) and 24 hours after surgery
incidence of adverse reactions
Adverse events will be monitored from drug administration to 24 hours post-surgery, including: blood pressure fluctuations (MAP change >20% from baseline), heart rate changes (HR >100 bpm or <50 bpm), psychiatric symptoms (hallucinations, dizziness, somnolence), and gastrointestinal reactions (nausea, vomiting with PONV impact scale ≥1). All adverse events will be recorded and compared between groups
Measured: From study drug administration to 24 hours after surgery
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted24 Jun 2026
- Study start1 Jul 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion15 Jan 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion31 Jan 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Perioperative Neurocognitive DisordersStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Quadruple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 98 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Xijing Hospital
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Zhang Haopeng, Xijing Hospital
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07665099
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- KQ-YJ-2026-193
- Other IDs
- 82271231
- Status last verified
- Jun 2026
- First submitted
- 18 Jun 2026
- Last updated
- 24 Jun 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 24 Jun 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effect of Esketamine on Postoperative Cognitive Function in Elderly Patients Undergoing Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery: A Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Parallel Clinical Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07665099
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- KQ-YJ-2026-193
- Conditions
- Perioperative Neurocognitive Disorders
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 98 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Xijing HospitalUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Jul 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 15 Jan 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 31 Jan 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 24 Jun 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Esketamine is a common anesthetic adjuvant. Previous studies have shown that it may have protective effects on the brain. This study aims to investigate whether esketamine can improve cognitive function recovery in elderly patients (aged 60 years and older) undergoing oral and maxillofacial surgery.
Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either esketamine or a placebo (normal saline) during anesthesia. Neither the participants nor the researchers will know which treatment is given.
Cognitive function will be assessed using standardized tests before surgery and at 1, 3, 7, and 15 days after surgery. Sleep quality, pain scores, emotional status, and adverse events will also be recorded. Blood samples will be collected to explore potential mechanisms.
The study is expected to enroll approximately 98 participants at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University in Xi'an, China. Participation will last about 16 days from the day before surgery to the final follow-up on day 15 after surgery.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Quadruple blind (participant, care provider, investigator, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Esketamine Group | Experimental | Drug: esketamineParticipants in this arm will receive an intravenous bolus of esketamine 0.3 mg/kg (administered over 1 minute) after anesthesia induction, followed by a continuous infusion of 0.3 mg/kg/h, which will be discontinued 30 minutes before the end of surgery. The drug will be prepared in normal saline to a total volume of 10 mL and administered in a double-blind manner |
| Normal Saline Group | Placebo comparator | Drug: Normal SalineParticipants in this arm will receive an equal volume of normal saline at the same time points as the experimental group: a bolus after anesthesia induction followed by a continuous infusion, which will be discontinued 30 minutes before the end of surgery. The placebo will be prepared in identical syringes to maintain blinding |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 60 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Age ≥ 60 years, either sex; Scheduled for elective oral and maxillofacial surgery under general anesthesia (including oral and maxillofacial tumor surgery, orthognathic surgery, and maxillofacial trauma repair surgery); American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I-III; Expected duration of anesthesia ≥ 2 hours; Willing and able to provide written informed consent.
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Pre-existing behavioral disorders or psychiatric diseases (e.g., Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease), or current use of antipsychotic medications (e.g., clozapine, risperidone, olanzapine, haloperidol, chlorpromazine); Pre-existing severe organ dysfunction including: severe cardiovascular disease (life-threatening arrhythmias, severe uncontrolled hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart failure), severe respiratory disease (respiratory failure, severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), severe hepatic insufficiency (Child-Pugh Class C), or severe renal insufficiency (glomerular filtration rate < 30 mL/min or creatinine > 2.5 mg/dL); Known contraindications to esketamine including: hypersensitivity to the active substance or any excipients; severe risk of elevated blood pressure or intracranial pressure; uncontrolled or untreated hypertension (resting systolic/diastolic blood pressure > 180/100 mmHg); preeclampsia or eclampsia; untreated or inadequately treated hyperthyroidism; conditions requiring uterine relaxation (e.g., uterine rupture, umbilical cord prolapse); use as the sole anesthetic in patients with significant ischemic heart disease; Surgical approach that would interfere with postoperative MoCA assessment; Concurrent participation in another clinical trial; Pre-existing cognitive impairment or Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score < 24, unable to complete questionnaire-based assessments.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| esketamineEsketamine is administered as an intravenous bolus of 0.3 mg/kg (over 1 minute) after anesthesia induction, followed by a continuous intravenous infusion of 0.3 mg/kg/h until 30 minutes before the end of surgery. The drug is diluted with normal saline to a total volume of 10 mL and prepared in identical syringes to ensure blinding. This intervention is used as the experimental treatment to assess its effect on postoperative cognitive recovery in elderly patients undergoing oral and maxillofacial surgery | Drug | Esketamine Group |
| Normal SalineNormal saline is used as the placebo control. It is administered as an intravenous bolus of equal volume after anesthesia induction, followed by a continuous intravenous infusion at an equal rate until 30 minutes before the end of surgery. The saline is prepared in identical syringes to the experimental drug to maintain double-blind conditions. This intervention serves as the comparator to evaluate the specific effect of esketamine on postoperative cognitive recovery | Drug | Normal Saline Group |
Primary outcome
Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) Score on Postoperative Day 1
Time frame: Day 1 after surgery
Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) Score on Postoperative Day 1
7 secondary outcomes
Telephone-Montreal Cognitive Assessment (T-MoCA) Score at Postoperative Days 3, 7, and 15
Time frame: Postoperative days 3, 7, and 15
Sleep Quality Assessed by Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS) at Postoperative Days 1 and 3
Time frame: Postoperative days 1 and 3
Pain Intensity Measured by Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at Postoperative Hours 6, 12, and 24
Time frame: Postoperative hours 6, 12, and 24
Emotional Status Assessed by Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) at Postoperative Days 1 and 3
Time frame: Postoperative days 1 and 3
Incidence of Rescue Analgesia
Time frame: During the first 24 hours after surgery
serological indicators
Time frame: Baseline (1 day before surgery) and 24 hours after surgery
incidence of adverse reactions
Time frame: From study drug administration to 24 hours after surgery
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 24 Jun 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing esketamine and Normal Saline in people with Perioperative Neurocognitive Disorders, run by Xijing Hospital at 1 site in China.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 24 Jun 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in China. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Haopeng Zhang (+86 17791305967, haopeng.zhang@foxmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) Score on Postoperative Day 1 (time frame: Day 1 after surgery). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 24 Jun 2026.