Hospitalization for surgery or critical illness can lead to cognitive dysfunction in some patients, especially the elderly. This is often reported as inattention, disorganized thinking, altered consciousness and prolonged disruptions in learning and memory functions. The mechanisms whereby surgery and/or anesthesia may lead to cognitive impairment remain unclear, but the researchers behind the current study have previously demonstrated that inflammation and release of pro-inflammatory molecules, like cytokines, play an important role in causing brain inflammation and cognitive decline after surgery.