Understanding how patients wake up from general anesthesia
Official title: Mechanisms of emergence from general anesthesia
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-10887628 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain proteins in the brain help people wake up smoothly from anesthesia, so we can find better ways to help patients avoid confusion or agitation when they come out of it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $388,750 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM146751-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10887628 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients undergoing surgical procedures that require general anesthesia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not require general anesthesia or those with pre-existing neurological disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the cellular mechanisms that allow patients to transition from a state of general anesthesia to being awake. It focuses on how anesthetics affect the balance of excitatory and inhibitory signals in the brain, which can lead to unpredictable outcomes like agitation and delirium upon waking. By studying the role of a specific protein called neuroligin-2 in mice, the research aims to uncover how changes in inhibitory synaptic function influence the emergence from anesthesia. This could lead to better management strategies for patients waking up from anesthesia.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could improve the safety and predictability of recovery from anesthesia, reducing complications like agitation and delirium.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific mechanisms of emergence from anesthesia are not fully understood, related research on synaptic plasticity and anesthesia has shown promising results in understanding patient outcomes.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Heshmati, Mitra — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Heshmati, Mitra
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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.