Abstract:Objective To investigate the protective effect of Dexmedetomidine on cognitive function in patients with gastric cancer. Methods Totally 80 cases of gastric cancer were involved and divided randomly into control group and observation group (n = 40). All patients were treated with intravenous anesthesia combined with inhalation anesthesia, and patients in the observation group received additional Dexmedetomidine. Levels of cognitive function, serum IL-6, PI3K and AKT were determined. Results Score of MMSE in observation group was higher significantly compared with control group on the 1st day after operation (P < 0.05). Levels of IL-6, PI3K and AKT in the control group were enhanced dramatically when compared with that in observation group at the 24th h and the 3rd day after operation (P < 0.05). MMSE score was negatively correlated with the levels of IL-6, PI3K and AKT (P < 0.05). Conclusion Dexmedetomidine effectively protects the postoperative cognitive function of patients with gastric cancer through modulating IL-6-mediated PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.