Understanding how we wake up from general anesthesia
Official title: Mechanisms of emergence from general anesthesia
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-11141217 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research explores the brain's processes when waking up from general anesthesia, aiming to make the experience smoother for patients.
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 | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $388,750 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM146751-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11141217 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients who have undergone or will undergo general anesthesia and experience or are at risk for emergence agitation or delirium could potentially benefit from future treatments based on this research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not undergo general anesthesia or do not experience issues with waking up from it may not directly benefit from this specific line of research.
What this research studies
When you receive general anesthesia, your body wakes up on its own, which can sometimes lead to confusion or agitation. We don't fully understand the brain changes that happen during this transition. This project uses advanced techniques to look at specific brain cells and connections in mice, focusing on how they change as the brain shifts from an anesthetized state to being awake. By studying these tiny brain mechanisms, we hope to learn why some people experience agitation or delirium after surgery.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to help patients wake up more comfortably and predictably from anesthesia, reducing side effects like agitation.
How similar studies have gone: While the general mechanisms of anesthesia are known, the specific cellular processes governing emergence and related behavioral issues are not well understood, making this a novel area of focus.
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.