Surgery helps millions of Americans overcome illness and live longer, healthier lives. Yet for many patients, surgery can also lead to delirium, cognitive decline, and perhaps even a higher long-term risk of dementia. These risks are poorly understood and often underrecognized in the clinic. The level of risk to a patient depends on the individual and the surgery. For example, delirium is experienced in 15–80% of surgical patients who, in turn, may have a higher risk of long-term cognitive and functional decline.

This one-day meeting, presented by the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation and the Brain Dysfunction Discussion Group, will convene leading scientists to discuss the challenges and opportunities to create biomarkers and therapeutics for these vulnerable patients.