Background　Although researches have confirmed that general anesthetics could effect on cognitive function， the underlying mechanisms and the contribution of general anaesthesia in particular to postoperative cognitive dysfunction remain unclear.　Objective　To review the mechanism of general anesthetics induced cognitive dysfunction.　Content　General anesthetics may intervent cognitive dysfunction through neurotransmitter and its receptor， synaptic plasticity， microtubules related protein and neuroapoptosis.　Trend　To explore the exact mechanisms of postoperative cognitive dysfunction （POCD）， and to find the possible methods for prevention or treatment of POCD.