A Phase 4 interventional study of Intranasal dexmedetomidine-esketamine combination and Intranasal placebo (0.9% saline) in Older Patients, Noncardiac Surgery and Dexmedetomidine, sponsored by Peking University First Hospital. Not yet recruiting at 1 site in China. Open to participants aged 65 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-11-04.
Sponsored by Peking University First Hospital · Phase 4, Interventional, and Prevention
Postoperative neurocognitive disorders, including postoperative delirium (POD) and delayed neurocognitive recovery (dNCR), are common in older patients undergoing surgery and are associated with worse outcomes. Intranasal dexmedetomidine, esketamine, and their combination have been used in clinical practice to improve sleep quality and analgesia. A preliminary study suggested lower rates of emergence delirium and POD/dNCR in older patients receiving perioperative intranasal dexmedetomidine-esketamine. This randomized controlled trial is designed to test the hypothesis that perioperative administration of an intranasal dexmedetomidine-esketamine combination improves neurocognitive recovery in older patients undergoing noncardiac surgery.
Postoperative neurocognitive disorders, including postoperative delirium (POD) and delayed neurocognitive recovery (dNCR), are common in older patients undergoing surgery and are associated with prolonged hospitalization, worse functional recovery, and increased mortality. Disturbed sleep is a modifiable contributor: perioperative sleep disruption may amplify neuroinflammation, pain, and opioid requirements, creating a feed-forward loop that promotes neurocognitive complications.
Dexmedetomidine, a highly selective α2-adrenergic agonist, mimics aspects of physiological non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. Intranasal dexmedetomidine has been used to improve perioperative sleep in older patients. Esketamine, the S-enantiomer of ketamine, provides analgesia and has rapid antidepressant effects. Intranasal esketamine is approved for treatment-resistant depression. Combined use of subanesthetic doses of esketamine and dexmedetomidine shows synergy in analgesia and anxiolysis, with fewer neuropsychiatric adverse effects.
Combining low doses of both agents for intranasal administration therefore targets several mechanisms implicated in POD and dNCR simultaneously (sleep restoration, analgesia, anxiolysis, and potentially reduced opioid consumption) via a noninvasive route feasible on surgical wards. A preliminary study suggested lower rates of emergence delirium and POD/dNCR in older patients receiving perioperative intranasal dexmedetomidine-esketamine.
This randomized controlled trial is designed to test the hypothesis that perioperative administration of an intranasal dexmedetomidine-esketamine combination improves neurocognitive recovery in older patients undergoing noncardiac surgery.
Peking University First Hospital is the lead sponsor of 390 studies on the registry; 186 are open to participants now.
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Exclusion Criteria:
Participants in this group will receive intranasal administration of a dexmedetomidine-esketamine combination at bedtime (8-9 pm) three times: the night before surgery, the night of surgery, and the first postoperative night.
Drug: Intranasal dexmedetomidine-esketamine combination
Participants in this group will receive intranasal administration of placebo (0.9% saline) at bedtime (8-9 pm) three times: the night before surgery, the night of surgery, and the first postoperative night.
Drug: Intranasal placebo (0.9% saline)
Participants in this group will receive intranasal administration of a dexmedetomidine-esketamine combination at bedtime (8-9 pm) three times: the night before surgery, the night of surgery, and the first postoperative night.
Also known as: DEX-ESK group
Participants in this group will receive intranasal administration of placebo (0.9% saline) at bedtime (8-9 pm) three times: the night before surgery, the night of surgery, and the first postoperative night.
Also known as: Placebo group
Incidence of delayed neurocognitive recovery (dNCR) on postoperative day 4.
Cognitive function will be assessed with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA; scores range from 0 to 30, with higher scores indicating better function) before surgery and on postoperative day 4 or at hospital discharge, whichever occurs first. Delayed neurocognitive recovery (dNCR) is defined as a decline from baseline of \>1 SD in MoCA score.
Time frame: Up to 4 days after surgery.
Incidence of postoperative delirium within 3 days after surgery.
Delirium will be assessed twice daily during the first 3 postoperative days using the 3-minute Diagnostic Interview for Confusion Assessment Method (3D-CAM) in non-intubated patients and the Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit (CAM-ICU) in intubated patients.
Time frame: Up to 3 days after surgery.
Incidence of delayed neurocognitive recovery (dNCR) on postoperative day 30.
Cognitive function will be assessed with the Telephone Montreal Cognitive Assessment (T-MoCA; scores range from 0 to 22, with higher scores indicating better function) before surgery and on postoperative day 30. Delayed neurocognitive recovery (dNCR) is defined as a decline from baseline of \>1 SD in T-MoCA score.
Time frame: At 30 days after surgery.
Plan to share: No
Start is estimated for Nov 2026; primary completion for Jun 2027, 7 months later.
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From the registry record's own update history. This site started tracking changes on Sep 25, 2026; for anything earlier, see the record history on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
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