Researchers have figured out how a commonly used general anesthetic drug induces unconsciousness by causing brain activity to become increasingly unstable. The findings could lead to better anesthetic ...

At the level of molecules and cells, ketamine and dexmedetomidine work very differently, but in the operating room they do the same exact thing: anesthetize the patient. By demonstrating how these ...

When someone becomes unconscious and unresponsive, it is essential to know what to do. This may include checking the vital signs and assessing for a serious injury until emergency services arrive. If ...

An advanced closed-loop anesthesia delivery system that monitors brain state to tailor propofol dose and achieve exactly the desired level of unconsciousness could reduce post-op side effects. If ...

Unconsciousness is the state in which a person is unable to respond to stimuli and appears to be asleep. They may be unconscious for a few seconds — as in fainting — or for longer periods of time.

Using a novel technique for analyzing neuron activity, the researchers found that the drug propofol induces unconsciousness by disrupting the brain’s normal balance between stability and excitability.

Researchers have identified patterns of brain activity that correlate to the loss and recovery of consciousness while a patient undergoes general anesthesia. Their findings, reported yesterday in the ...

Amid longstanding difficulties distinguishing consciousness in humans in unconscious states, scientists report fMRI-based evidence of distinct patterns of brain activity they say can differentiate ...

Researchers are shining a light on the darkness of the unconscious brain. Three new studies add to the body of knowledge. When patients undergo major surgery, they're often put under anesthesia to ...