Clin-STAR Awardee Spotlight
Mikita Fuchita, MD
Assistant Professor, Anesthesiology
University of Colorado
Clin-STAR Aging Research Development and Training Grant – 2024
Neurophysiology of Perioperative Caffeine in Older Surgical Patients
Delirium is a clinical syndrome of acute brain failure that affects up to 50% of older surgical patients. Patients who suffer delirium are at increased risk for 90-day mortality, functional decline, and future development of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. However, there is currently no effective pharmacological strategy to prevent or treat delirium. Caffeine is a well-described psychoactive stimulant consumed worldwide as caffeinated beverages and is available as an FDA-approved drug in the US. Its active chemical, 1,3,7-trimethylxanthine, antagonizes adenosine receptors in the brain and enhances arousal, attention, cognitive processing speed, and memory, primarily by activating cholinergic neurons. Our recently conducted pilot clinical trial demonstrated reduced delirium in surgical patients who received intravenous caffeine, indicating its potential role as a novel delirium therapy. In this Clin-STAR project, I will work with my mentor, Dr. Phillip Vlisides, to conduct a neurophysiologic substudy of intraoperative caffeine to determine its effects on anesthesia emergence.
Mentor
Phillip Vlisides, MD
University of Michigan
Research Interests: Anesthesiology
Age-related condition studied in research project:
- Alzheimer's Disease/Dementia
- Delirium
Impact of research project:
- Clinical
Clin-STAR Grantee Interview
How did you first find out about Clin-STAR’s research development grant program?
One of my research colleagues, Dr. Heidi Lindroth, is a former recipient of the Clin-STAR award. After receiving this award, I saw her research career accelerate and progress to her next levels, which inspired me to apply for this grant.
What inspired you to pursue aging research and how does your perspective as a non-geriatrician specialist contribute to your research activity?
I didn’t know much about geriatrics or aging research during my medical training. However, as my research started focusing on delirium and improving neurocognitive outcomes after surgery and critical illness, I naturally gravitated toward aging research. I now have two senior research mentors who are both geriatricians. They are passionate about improving patient-centered outcomes and supporting the vulnerable population. They inspire me to ask the right research questions and conduct impactful and meaningful research for the benefit of our patients. I am excited to bring the aging research perspectives to perioperative and acute care research.
In your view, what does Clin-STAR mean to the field and what does it mean for you to receive a Clin-STAR grant now?
Neurocognitive recovery after surgery has become a hot topic in anesthesiology and perioperative medicine. We have growing literature describing how delirium and cognitive impairment are highly prevalent and detrimental, especially among older adults. Yet, we don’t have effective strategies to overcome them. I am honored to receive this award and contribute to the science and clinical practices promoting brain health in our field.
What’s exciting about your research’s potential impact to your career, field, and patients?
I am an aspiring early-stage physician scientist, and this Clin-STAR award is my first extramural research award. Establishing a research career isn’t easy. I have experienced many challenges and failures and have wondered if research was for me. This Clin-STAR award came as a surprise and validated the research topic as something important and worthwhile pursuing. It also reflected how lucky I have been to have excellent mentors and be in a supportive environment at the University of Colorado. I encounter delirium and cognitive impairment in my daily practice, and I am excited for this opportunity to contribute to the science of neurocognition.
How have you collaborated with your mentor or co-investigators?
My mentor for this Clin-STAR award, Dr. Phillip Vlisides, is an established investigator at the University of Michigan with expertise in neurocognitive recovery after surgery. During this award, I will learn about his ongoing clinical trial on caffeine and postoperative neurocognitive recovery (R01AG075005) and conduct secondary research to advance neurophysiological understanding of caffeine. This award will also strengthen my mentorship relationship with Dr. Vlisides. My goal is to use the knowledge and experiences gained from this award to advance to a NIH career development award.