Understanding how anesthesia affects brain function and consciousness
Cortical-Subcortical Network Dynamics of Anesthesia and Consciousness
This study is looking at how different parts of the brain work together when people are under general anesthesia, especially for those with conditions like Parkinson's disease, to help us understand more about consciousness and how anesthesia affects it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10549818 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the brain circuits involved in consciousness and responsiveness during general anesthesia, a state experienced by millions annually. By studying neurosurgical patients with different basal ganglia diseases, such as Parkinson's disease and essential tremor, the research aims to gather high-resolution data from both cortical and subcortical brain areas. The team will use advanced techniques, including deep brain stimulation, to explore how these brain regions interact and how they can be modulated to better understand consciousness. This approach may reveal important insights into the mechanisms of anesthesia and consciousness.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include neurosurgical patients with conditions affecting the basal ganglia, such as Parkinson's disease or essential tremor.
Not a fit: Patients who are not undergoing neurosurgery or do not have basal ganglia disorders may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved anesthesia practices and better outcomes for patients undergoing surgical procedures.
How similar studies have performed: While there have been studies on anesthesia and consciousness, this research employs a novel approach by directly recording brain activity in humans during anesthesia, which has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
Dallas, United States
- Ut Southwestern Medical Center — Dallas, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pouratian, Nader — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Pouratian, Nader
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.