Conclusion
POCD
A relationship between thalamus size and preCI or POCD was not observed in our sample. These findings suggest that the thalamus volume does not predict cognitive function as defined in this study in older patients, neither before nor after surgery. Our findings indicate that the thalamus may not be involved in the etiology of preCI and POCD. Otherwise, its impact might not be adequately depicted by volumetric analyses. Future studies may require bigger sample sizes. Alternative analysis algorithms to handle raw cognitive data may also be needed.