Investigating how different anesthetics and sleep affect brain wave patterns.
Official title: The Roles of Genetically Distinct Cortical Neuron Types in General-Anesthesia- and Sleep-Induced Slow Waves
Funded at Brigham Young University · NIH-11293098 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how different types of anesthesia affect brain activity during sleep and anesthesia, using tiny animals to help us learn more about how our brains work when we're unconscious, which could improve how we use anesthesia in people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham Young University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Provo, United States) |
| Project start | April 11, 2022 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $248,997 |
| NIH project number | 4R00GM141450-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11293098 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals undergoing anesthesia or those experiencing sleep-related issues.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not undergo anesthesia or have no sleep-related conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the brain activity associated with slow waves during general anesthesia and non-rapid-eye-movement (NREM) sleep. By using advanced techniques like calcium imaging in freely behaving rodents, the study aims to identify how different anesthetic agents, such as propofol, ketamine, and dexmedetomidine, influence neural circuits and slow wave generation. The goal is to understand whether these slow waves arise from similar or distinct neural mechanisms, which could enhance our understanding of consciousness and anesthesia.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved anesthetic techniques and better management of sleep disorders.
How similar studies have gone: While the investigation of slow waves in anesthesia is ongoing, this specific approach using calcium imaging in freely behaving rodents is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Brigham Young University
Provo, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Melonakos, Eric David — Brigham Young University
- Study coordinator: Melonakos, Eric David
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.