Propofol-Induced Frontal Cortex Disconnection: A Study of Resting-State Networks, Total Brain Connectivity, and Mean BOLD Signal Oscillation Frequencies.

Abstract

Propofol is one of the most commonly used anesthetics in the world, but much remains unknown about the mechanisms by which it induces loss of consciousness. In this resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging study, we examined qualitative and quantitative changes of resting-state networks (RSNs), total brain connectivity, and mean oscillation frequencies of the regional blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) signal, associated with propofol-induced mild sedation and loss of responsiveness in healthy subjects. We found that detectability of RSNs diminished significantly with loss of responsiveness, and total brain connectivity decreased strongly in the frontal cortex, which was associated with increased mean oscillation frequencies of the BOLD signal. Our results suggest a pivotal role of the frontal cortex in propofol-induced loss of responsiveness.

• Authors: Pieter Guldenmund, Ithabi S Gantner, Katherine Baquero, Tushar Das, Athena Demertzi, Pierre Boveroux, Vincent Bonhomme, Audrey Vanhaudenhuyse, Marie-Aurélie Bruno, Olivia Gosseries, Quentin Noirhomme, Muriëlle Kirsch, Mélanie Boly, Adrian M Owen, Steven Laureys, Francisco Gómez, Andrea Soddu
• Journal: Brain connectivity (Brain Connect) Vol. 6 Issue 3 Pg. 225-37 (Apr 2016) ISSN: 2158-0022 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 26650183 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Anesthetics, Intravenous
• Propofol

Topics

• Adult
• Anesthetics, Intravenous (pharmacology)
• Brain (diagnostic imaging, drug effects)
• Brain Mapping (methods)
• Connectome (methods)
• Consciousness (drug effects)
• Female
• Frontal Lobe (diagnostic imaging, drug effects)
• Humans
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (methods)
• Male
• Neural Pathways (diagnostic imaging, drug effects)
• Propofol (pharmacology)
• Unconsciousness (chemically induced)