Background: Postoperative cognitive decline can be reproduced in animal models. In a well-
validated rat model of the Metabolic Syndrome, we sought to investigate whether surgery
induced a more severe and persistent form of cognitive decline similar to that noted in
preliminary clinical studies. Methods: In rats that had been selectively bred for low and high
exercise endurance, the low capacity runners (LCR) exhibited features of Metabolic
Syndrome (obesity, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and hypertension). Tibial fracture …