My mother only had 2 surgeries in her life and yet is considered an early onset AD as she was diagnosed at the age of 64.
Certainly, general anaesthesia is considered to deepen confusion in AD patients. I have also heard anecdotal stories of general anaesthesia bringing on AD in elderly patients but in a sort of "it was developing anyways" sort of thing and the anaesthesia simply hastened the process.
It may well turn out that certain people have a genetic disposition that combined with anaesthesia will contribute to their developing AD.
The opposite side of the coin is that if we choose not to have various surgeries, we could die much younger. That would certainly take care of things, wouldn't it?
. The old "6 of one, half dozen of the other".
Helena, did they mention the gases/meds by name? Where did you read this?