The effect of low dose sevoflurane on saccadic eye movement latency.
We investigated the effects of a low concentration of sevoflurane on a saccadic eye movement task that reflects the performance of higher neural decision and control mechanisms. The experiments were performed double-blind in five subjects, using either 0.15% end-tidal sevoflurane in oxygen, or pure oxygen as a placebo. Saccades were recorded and analysed using a computer-based recording system that also controlled the presentation of visual targets. Administration of oxygen produced no significant change in median latency compared with breathing air; but in four of the five subjects, administration of sevoflurane in oxygen caused a significant increase in latency. These results suggest that measurement of median saccadic latency may be a useful functional measurement of impairment of performance during recovery from anaesthesia.
Reader in Oculomotor Physiology, Physiological Laboratory, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK. rhsc1@cam.ac.uk
R H S
RH
Carpenter
M J L
MJ
Descamps
C H
CH
Morley
T S
TS
Leary
J G
JG
Jones
D000328:Adult; D000762:Anesthesia Recovery Period; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008738:Methyl Ethers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016343:Monitoring, Intraoperative / Q000379:methods*; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000187:drug effects*; D012438:Saccades / Q000187:drug effects*; D000077149:Sevoflurane
D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D008738:Methyl Ethers; D000077149:Sevoflurane