A study in Current Biology found anesthesia drugs not only turn off wakefulness, but also switch on important sleep circuits in the brain, according to U.S. News and World Report.
Though humans have been using anesthetic drugs for more than 160 years, physicians do not understand exactly how these drugs produce anesthetic states.
Many general anesthetics work to cause unconsciousness in part by recruiting the brain's natural sleep circuitry, which initiates sleep, said Max Kelz, MD, an anesthesiologist at the University of Pennsylvania, where studies took place.
Dr. Kelz and other researchers focused on an area of the brain which becomes more active when a person sleeps. Their experiment with mice and isoflurane found boosted activity in this area.
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Though humans have been using anesthetic drugs for more than 160 years, physicians do not understand exactly how these drugs produce anesthetic states.
Many general anesthetics work to cause unconsciousness in part by recruiting the brain's natural sleep circuitry, which initiates sleep, said Max Kelz, MD, an anesthesiologist at the University of Pennsylvania, where studies took place.
Dr. Kelz and other researchers focused on an area of the brain which becomes more active when a person sleeps. Their experiment with mice and isoflurane found boosted activity in this area.
More Articles on Anesthesia:
5 Ways Anesthesia Groups Are Changing to Meet Accountable Care Demands
Two More NECC Products Positive for Bacterial Contamination
ASA: CMS' Chronic Pain Final Rule Jeopardizes Patient Safety, Increase Risk for Fraud