Investigating how different anesthetics and sleep affect brain wave patterns.
The Roles of Genetically Distinct Cortical Neuron Types in General-Anesthesia- and Sleep-Induced Slow Waves
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 ID | NIH-11293098 on NIH RePORTER |
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.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals undergoing anesthesia or those experiencing sleep-related issues.
Not a fit: Patients who do not undergo anesthesia or have no sleep-related conditions may not benefit from this research.
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 performed: 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
Provo, United States
- Brigham Young University — Provo, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Melonakos, Eric David — Brigham Young University
- Study coordinator: Melonakos, Eric David
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 below.