Inflammatory Markers and Level of Cortical Hyperactivity

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disease that is manifested by severe cognitive impairment mainly from late life (\>65 years). Clinical studies have shown that both systemic inflammation and cortical and hippocampal hyperactivity are features present in patients during the early stages of the disease. In this project we will seek to relate the levels of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-1beta, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha with the level of cortical hyperactivity evaluated with the electroencephalographic changes induced by the GABAergic anesthetic propofol in older adults undergoing elective surgery.