Objective To explore the effects and mechanisms of the cAMP/CREB signaling pathway on cognitive and memory impairment induced by propofol anesthesia in rats.Methods From December 2021 to February 2022,an experi-ment was conducted in the Animal Laboratory of Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture Central Hospital in Hubei Province.Thirty rats were randomly divided into a control group,a propofol group,and a group of 10 rats each containing 8-Br-cAMP and propofol.The 8-Br-cAMP + propofol group was injected with the signal pathway agonist 8-Br-cAMP + propofol,while the propofol group was injected with propofol and the control group was injected with 0.9%sodium chlo-ride.Observe the changes in cognitive and memory function of rats after 1 day of anesthesia.Results Compared with the control group,the propofol group rats had a longer escape latency time and a lower number of crossing platforms(P<0.01 for all);Compared with the propofol group,the rats in the 8-Br-cAMP +propofol group had a shorter escape latency time and an increase in the number of crossing platforms(P<0.01 for all).Compared with the control group,the propofol group had a decrease in the number of grooming sessions,cross grid sessions,and standing sessions,while the central grid stay time was prolonged(P<0.01 for all);Compared with the propofol group,the 8-Br-cAMP + propofol group showed an in-crease in grooming frequency,cross grid frequency,and standing frequency,while the central grid residence time was short-ened(P<0.01).Compared with the control group,the MDA level in the propofol group increased while the SOD level de-creased(P<0.01 for all);Compared with the propofolgroup,the8-Br-cAMP+propofolgroup showed a decrease in MDA levels and an increase in SOD levels(all P<0.01).Compared with the control group,the mRNA expression levels of cAMP and CREB in the propofol group decreased(P<0.01);Compared with the propofol group,the expression levels of cAMP and CREB mRNA in the 8-Br-cAMP+propofol group increased(P<0.01).Compared with the control group,the relative ex-pression levels of cAMP and CREB proteins in the propofol group decreased(P<0.01);Compared with the propofol group,the relative expression levels of cAMP and CREB proteins in the 8-Br-cAMP+propofol group increased(P<0.01).Conclu-sion Activating the cAMP/CREB signaling pathway can alleviate cognitive impairment and memory decline caused by propofol anesthesia,and its mechanism may be related to the regulation of oxidative stress response.