Neural effects of propofol-induced unconsciousness and its reversal using thalamic stimulation.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 33904411.
- Also identified by DOI 10.7554/eLife.60824 and PMC identifier 8079153.
- Licence recorded as CC BY.
- The licence permits redistribution, so the abstract is shown in full and the full text is available from the publisher.
Abstract
The specific circuit mechanisms through which anesthetics induce unconsciousness have not been completely characterized. We recorded neural activity from the frontal, parietal, and temporal cortices and thalamus while maintaining unconsciousness in non-human primates (NHPs) with the anesthetic propofol. Unconsciousness was marked by slow frequency (~1 Hz) oscillations in local field potentials, entrainment of local spiking to Up states alternating with Down states of little or no spiking activity, and decreased coherence in frequencies above 4 Hz. Thalamic stimulation 'awakened' anesthetized NHPs and reversed the electrophysiologic features of unconsciousness. Unconsciousness is linked to cortical and thalamic slow frequency synchrony coupled with decreased spiking, and loss of higher-frequency dynamics. This may disrupt cortical communication/integration.
Medical subject headings
- Anesthetics, Intravenous
- Cerebral Cortex
- Hypnotics and Sedatives
- Macaca mulatta
- Propofol
- Thalamus
- Unconsciousness