Anesthetics and translational research

In the field of anesthesia and anesthetics, several translational perspectives must be considered. Because general anesthetics are molecules with multiple biological properties, they can potentially interfere with innumerable processes. A particularly interesting, and useful data for translational research, is that anesthetics have targets that can be identified not only in humans but also in other organisms ranging from unicellular ciliates to plants, to primates. For this reason, anesthetics can ideally be placed at the center of research programs which, from the preclinical phase to the clinical approach, involve several biomedical areas, and beyond. The translational research, for example, offers the interesting possibility of investigating the effects of anesthetics on different cognitive functions such as memory and consciousness. Therefore, for some “paradoxes” of anesthesia, such as the anesthesia awareness phenomenon, a logical explanation can be found. Despite a huge number of studies on the matter, there are important debated issues. What is the relationship between general anesthetics exposure and neurodegenerative processes? Does the type of anesthesia affect recurrence-free survival after cancer surgery? Translational research necessarily needs to step up efforts, providing concrete and evidence-based answers to these questions. The most effective strategy could be to train professionals who, by deciphering a Rosetta Stone, can interpret the complex language of the individual disciplines involved, and thus directing research toward the set objectives, or designing new objectives starting from what, basic or clinical research, proposes. In this context, artificial intelligence could play a pivotal role, especially when used for the development of new anesthetics.