Camk2d upregulation is associated with postoperative cognitive dysfunction in aged rats: pharmacological inhibition of CaMKII attenuates hippocampal neuroinflammation and neuronal apoptosis

Background

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a common complication in elderly patients after major surgery. It delays postoperative recovery and increases the risk of neurodegenerative disorders. CaMKIIδ is a key calcium-signaling regulator of neuronal survival and neuroinflammation, yet its functional role in POCD remains poorly understood. This study aimed to identify injury-inducible calcium-signaling genes and to characterize the association of Camk2d, the gene encoding CaMKIIδ, with POCD progression in aged rats.