In search of Universal Cortical Power Changes Linked to NMDA-Antagonist based Anesthetic Induced Reductions in Consciousness

Abstract

B. Abstract Background. Despite their intriguing nature, investigations of the neurophysiology of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-antagonists Xenon (Xe) and nitrous oxide (N2O) are limited and have revealed inconsistent frequency-dependent alterations, in spectral power and functional connectivity. Discrepancies are likely due to using low resolution electroencephalography restricted to sensor level changes, concomitant anesthetic agent administration and dosage. Our intention was to describe the effects of equivalent stepwise levels of Xe and N2O administration on oscillatory source power using a crossover design, to explore universal mechanisms of NMDA-based anesthesia. Methods. 22 healthy males participated in a study of simultaneous magnetoencephalography and electroencephalography recordings. In separate sessions, equivalent subanesthetic doses of gaseous anesthetic agents N2O and Xe (0.25, 0.50, 0.75 equi MAC-awake) and 1.30 MAC-awake Xe (for Loss of Responsiveness) were administered. Source power in various frequency bands was computed and statistically assessed relative to a conscious baseline. Results. Delta (l-4Hz) and theta (4-8Hz) band power was significantly increased at the highest Xe concentration (42%, 1.30 MAC-awake) relative to baseline for both magnetoencephalography and electroencephalography source power (p<0.005). A reduction in frontal alpha (8-13 Hz) power was observed upon N2O administration, and shown to be stronger than equivalent Xe dosage reductions (p=0.005). Higher frequency activity increases were observed in magnetoencephalographic but not encephalographic signals for N2O alone with occipital low gamma (30-49Hz) and widespread high gamma (51-99Hz) rise in source power. Conclusions. Magnetoencephalography source imaging revealed unequivocal and widespread power changes in dissociative anesthesia, which were divergent to source electroencephalography. Loss of Responsiveness anesthesia at 42% Xe (1.30 MAC-awake) demonstrated, similar to inductive agents, low frequency power increases in frontal delta and global theta. N2O sedation yielded a rise in high frequency power in the gamma range which was primarily occipital for lower gamma bandwidth (3049 Hz) and substantially decreased alpha power, particularly in frontal regions. Clinical trial number and Registry URL Not applicable. Prior Presentations Pelentritou Andria, Kuhlmann Levin; Lee Heonsoo; Cormack John; Mcguigan Steven; Woods Will; Sleigh Jamie; Lee UnCheol; Muthukumaraswamy Suresh; Liley David. Searching For Universal Cortical Power Changes Linked To Anesthetic Induced Reductions In Consciousness. The Science of Consciousness April 4th 2018. Tucson, Arizona, USA. Summary Statement Not applicable.

Neural Dynamics in Primate Cortex during Exposure to Subanesthetic Concentrations of Nitrous Oxide

“…Likewise, Ballesteros et al found a gradual increase in high beta, low gamma power in ventral premotor cortex, S1, and secondary somatosensory cortex (Ballesteros et al, 2020). Although there are no mesoscopic LFP spectral data with N 2 O, previous spectral analyses with EEG data show that N 2 O can increase and decrease high-frequency power (Yamamura et al, 1981;Rampil et al, 1998;Foster and Liley, 2011;Pelentritou et al, 2019). We found increased high-frequency (>20-45 Hz) power in motor cortex within beta and gamma bands.…”

Canonical and Non-Canonical Psychedelic Drugs Induce Common Network Changes in Human Cortex

“…Various electroencephalographic and magnetoencephalographic studies in humans have reported spectral, functional connectivity, and complexity changes associated with nitrous oxide (5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10), but at sedative rather than psychedelic concentrations or without assessment of psychedelic phenomenology. Although there has been investigation of the effect of nitrous oxide on cerebral blood flow using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (11), there have been no functional MRI (fMRI) studies during nitrous oxide exposure in humans that have characterized changes in functional brain networks associated with psychedelic effects.…”