The Effects of Memantine on Cognitive Function and Pain after Sevoflurane and Desflurane Anesthesia in Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Rats

Objective: Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) refers to a wide range of alterations which effect memory, information processing and executive function after anesthesia and, the mechanism is still not properly defined. Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease which has a negative impact on cognitive function and leads to impairment of perception of pain by causing peripheral neuropathy. Sevoflurane and desflurane are anesthetic agents which are shown to cause POCD in many studies. Memantine is an agent which has a positive contribution on memory and learning; also known as neuroprotective and used in chronic pain treatment. In this study, we aim to investigate the effects of memantine, after sevoflurane and desflurane anesthesia on cognitive dysfunction and pain levels in diabetic rats.