Lidocaine may reduce postoperative delirium by triggering removal of damaged mitochondria to lower harmful molecules and prevent inflammatory microglia

Lidocaine may alleviate postoperative delirium by activating mitophagy to reduce mitochondrial reactive oxygen species.

• Postoperative delirium is a frequent issue in elderly patients.
• Mitochondrial dysfunction and a specific immune response in brain cells are linked to the development of delirium.
• Lidocaine is proposed as a potential treatment to improve outcomes related to postoperative delirium.
• The study investigates the role of mitophagy in reducing harmful substances produced by mitochondria.
• Activation of mitophagy may also inhibit the inflammatory response associated with microglial cells.

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