Commonly anesthesiologists calculate the proper dosage using a patient's weight, but a new University of Cambridge study suggests brain wave activity may be a more precise way to decide how much of a drug is needed.
Researchers enlisted the help of 20 healthy volunteers (11 female) and administered propofol while observing patterns of brain activity via an electroencephalogram. To provide evidence of their consciousness, participants would press one button whenever they heard a "ping," and another button if they heard a "pong."
Here are five insights:
1. By the time the maximum dose was reached, some participants had fallen into unconsciousness, while others remained awake and continued to carry out the task.
2. Analyzing the EEG readings, researchers found pronounced differences in alpha wave activity between those who had responded to propofol and those who remained awake.
3. Those with more activity required more anesthetic to be put under.
4. Researchers also found a correlation between a specific form of brain network activity known as delta-alpha coupling and levels of drug in the blood.
5. Researchers concluded these findings could lead to more accurate drug titration and brain state monitoring during anesthesia.