GABA: General Anesthesia and Brain Activity

Each year, 1-2 million infants undergo general anesthesia in the US, which may be needed for up to weeks at a time. This early general anesthesia, while necessary, sedates brain activity and impacts early sensory experiences during a time typically characterized by rapid neurocognitive development. How and when does this early medical adversity impact development? What factors contribute to resilient development following extended sedation? We examine sensory and socioemotional neurodevelopment longitudinally from infancy through childhood in individuals who have undergone anesthesia during different windows in the first year of life. We aim for this study’s findings to inform future care options and support for infants with similar conditions. The GABA project is part of a larger cross-species collaboration across institutions, including Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard University, and the University of Tokyo.