title: Thalamocortical model for a propofol-induced alpha-rhythm associated with loss of consciousness.
abstract: Recent data reveal that the general anesthetic propofol gives rise to a frontal α-rhythm at dose levels sufficient to induce loss of consciousness. In this work, a computational model is developed that suggests the network mechanisms responsible for such a rhythm. It is shown that propofol can alter the dynamics in thalamocortical loops, leading to persistent and synchronous α-activity. The synchrony that forms in the cortex by virtue of the involvement of the thalamus may impede responsiveness to external stimuli, thus providing a correlate for the unconscious state.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA. shinung@neurostat.mit.edu
authors.forename: Shinung
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ching
authors.forename: Aylin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cimenser
authors.forename: Patrick L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Purdon
authors.forename: Emery N
authors.initials: EN
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Nancy J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Kopell
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D000513:Alpha Rhythm / Q000187:drug effects*; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous / Q000494:pharmacology; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003344:Cortical Synchronization / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D015742:Propofol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000502:physiology; D013788:Thalamus / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D014474:Unconsciousness
chemical_list: D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; D015742:Propofol