News and Events
SmartTots: Building Community and Advocating for Important Research
SmartTots pediatric anesthetic neurotoxicity thought leaders discuss the current status of the field and provide insights into the future of the research. View on YouTube.
Pediatric Anesthetic Neurotoxicity: Finding Ways to Move Forward
Pediatric anesthetic neurotoxicity investigators discuss the state of the research and identify compelling ways to move the field forward. View on YouTube.
Pediatric Anesthetic Neurotoxicity: Designing the Proper Study
Pediatric anesthetic neurotoxicity thought leaders ponder the feasibility of designing and conducting studies that successfully isolate the effects of anesthetics from the effects of the procedure or patient’s underlying condition. View on YouTube.
Pediatric Anesthetic Neurotoxicity: The Pre-Clinical Journey
Pediatric anesthetic neurotoxicity researchers discuss how pre-clinical studies are providing insight into the mechanisms of neurotoxicity, and the impact on the future of clinical studies. View on YouTube.
Panda Symposium
SmartTots – Perspectives from the Front Lines
Millions of children undergo surgery annually. Recent studies suggest there may be reason for concern. This video, featuring Dr. Dean Andropoulos, Dr. Peter Davis, and Dr. Caleb Ing, provides a summary as to why research is needed and the type that is needed.
Postoperative Cognitive Function Following General Versus Regional Anesthesia: A Systematic Review
Journal of Neurosurgical Anesthesiology, October 2014. Davis N, Lee M, Lin AY, Lynch L, Monteleone M, Falzon L, Ispahany N, Lei S. Abstract The effect of anesthetic technique on postoperative outcomes remains in question. This systematic review compares the role of...
Neurotoxicity of Anesthetics in the Developing Brain: Summary Points (Last revised: October 1, 2012)
1. The major excitatory neurotransmitter, glutamate, and the major inhibitory neurotransmitter, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), are generally associated with neuronal communication in the adult brain.(1) 2. In the developing brain, these transmitters play a...
Myron Yaster, MD Speaks to Pediatric Anesthesia (PodCast)
Myron Yaster, MD Speaks to Pediatric Anesthesia (PodCast)
ASA Endorses Consensus Statement
The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) has formally endorsed the SmartTots Consensus Statement, released December 14, 2012. The consensus statement now carries the endorsement of the International Anesthesia Research Society (IARS), US Food and Drug...
Experts Work Towards Developing Consensus Regarding Anesthetic Safety in Children
Over the last decade, studies in rodents and non-human primates have found that exposure to anesthetic agents during sensitive periods of brain development results in widespread neuronal apoptosis and functional deficits later in life. Recent population-based birth...
Draft Revision to 2012 Consensus Statement Under Consideration
In December 2012, SmartTots released a Consensus Statement on the Use of Anesthetics and Sedatives in Children to provide guidance to healthcare providers and parents with regard to research findings that suggest anesthetics may be harmful to the developing brain....