Background Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a common central neurosystem complication in elderly patients after surgery. Alzheimer′s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder among older adults. The pathological characteristics of AD reveal the loss of neurons and synapse,the presence of amyloid plaques and the tangles of neurofibrils. Objective We try to investigate the effects of inflammation in POCD, then could provide an different method to prevent and treat POCD and AD. Content Some studies suggested that inflammation contributed to the pathogenesis of POCD and AD. Anti-inflammatory approaches would help slow their progression. Trend By better understanding the mechanisms of inflammation contributed to POCD and AD, it should be possible to develop anti-inflammatory approaches that may provide an effective way to the preventand cure POCD and AD .