Sodium methohexital (brevital) as an anesthetic in the Wada test.
OBJECTIVE
We report our experience with sodium methohexital (Brevital) as an anesthetic used in the Wada test for language and memory in 86 epilepsy surgery patients (173 procedures).


METHODS
The methods are compared with those of the more commonly used anesthetic sodium amobarbital (Amytal).


RESULTS
Despite differences between the methohexital and amobarbital test protocols, the behavioral and neurologic effects of the two anesthetics are similar. Because of the brief duration of methohexital, two successive injections are made on each side rather than one, to lengthen the time available for testing both language and memory. Behavioral and EEG indices return to baseline more quickly and more completely with methohexital than with amobarbital, allowing several repetitions of the procedure without incremental drowsiness, and the total time taken for the procedure is less with methohexital than with amobarbital.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of language and memory testing in the Wada test are equivalent for amobarbital and methohexital, except that methohexital has a briefer duration of action and is associated with less sedation.
Psychology Service, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, and Department of Psychiaty, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-0840, USA.
Henry A
HA
Buchtel
Erasmo A
EA
Passaro
Linda M
LM
Selwa
John
J
Deveikis
Diana
D
Gomez-Hassan
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000654:Amobarbital / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal; D002648:Child; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D007269:Injections, Intra-Arterial; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D008723:Methohexital / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests
D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D008723:Methohexital; D000654:Amobarbital