Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents01:17

Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents

957
Sedatives and hypnotics encompass a wide range of substances, each with its unique mechanism of action, uses, and potential adverse effects.
Melatonin congeners like ramelteon (Rozerem) and tasimelteon (Hetlioz) selectively bind to melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2) and thus mimic the actions of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Tasimelteon is primarily used for non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder, common in blind patients. They are also used to treat conditions like insomnia...
957
Sedatives and Hypnotics: Overview01:23

Sedatives and Hypnotics: Overview

2.2K
Sedatives are drugs that alleviate anxiety, while hypnotics induce sleep. Both classes of medication suppress neuronal activity, leading to a calming effect for sedatives and facilitating sleep for hypnotics.
Sedative-hypnotics are categorized into barbiturates, benzodiazepines (BZDs), and non-benzodiazepines or Z-drugs. These drugs work by suppressing central nervous system activity, and this suppression is dose-dependent. Older sedative medications, like barbiturates, follow a linear curve in...
2.2K
Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Barbiturates01:20

Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Barbiturates

1.5K
Sedatives and hypnotics encompass a drug class that acts on the central nervous system (CNS) to alleviate anxiety, promote relaxation and induce sleep.These drugs function by amplifying the actions of the neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), resulting in reduced neuronal activity. Barbiturates, a subset of sedatives and hypnotics first synthesized in the late 1800s, are categorized into ultra-short, short, intermediate, and long-acting groups based on their duration of effect. A...
1.5K
Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Benzodiazepines01:19

Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Benzodiazepines

1.4K
Benzodiazepines have both sedative and hypnotic properties. They include compounds such as diazepam (Valium) and alprazolam (Xanax). Structurally, their cores are similar, consisting of the fusion of a benzene ring and a diazepine ring, but they share a common mechanism of action in the central nervous system (CNS).
Benzodiazepines work by enhancing the effects of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA. They bind to the GABAA receptor, increasing its affinity for GABA, which opens chloride...
1.4K
CNS Depressants: Barbiturates and Benzodiazepines01:14

CNS Depressants: Barbiturates and Benzodiazepines

1.8K
CNS depressants include drugs from the category of barbiturates and benzodiazepines. They are valuable medications for managing anxiety disorders and insomnia. Barbiturates, once used to induce and maintain sleep, have been replaced mainly by benzodiazepines due to barbiturate's toxicity, tolerance, and overdose risks. They interact with GABAA receptors, leading to sedation at low doses and potentially coma and death at higher doses. Phenobarbital, a long-acting barbiturate, possesses...
1.8K
Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview01:24

Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview

995
Intravenous anesthetics are drugs administered parenterally to induce anesthesia or sedation. Propofol is a widely used agent formulated as a 1% emulsion in soybean oil, glycerol, and egg phosphatide. It induces rapid anesthesia primarily due to its rapid distribution from the bloodstream to target tissues and is metabolized in the liver. However, it can cause significant pain on injection and hypertriglyceridemia. Fospropofol, a water-based prodrug of propofol, lacks these adverse effects.
995

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Electroencephalography in the elderly.

The Neurodiagnostic journal·2012
Same author

Neurocysticercosis: fireflies in the central nervous system.

American journal of electroneurodiagnostic technology·2010
Same journal

A Comparative Effectiveness Study of Bipolar and Linked Quadripolar Techniques for Eliciting Transcranial Motor Evoked Potentials.

The Neurodiagnostic journal·2026
Same journal

An Analysis of the Response Time to the Push Button in the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit.

The Neurodiagnostic journal·2026
Same journal

Multimodal Novel Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Monitoring Techniques in Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery: Initial Experience and Proof of Concept.

The Neurodiagnostic journal·2026
Same journal

Intraoperative Detection of a Lateralized S2 Nerve Root Conduction Block Using Hemisphincter Bulbocavernosus Reflex Monitoring.

The Neurodiagnostic journal·2026
Same journal

An Overview of Neurodiagnostic Enrollments: A Qualitative Study and Projections for the Future of Neurodiagnostics.

The Neurodiagnostic journal·2026
Same journal

Technical Tips: Preventing Electrode-Induced Skin Injuries During Prolonged Ambulatory Electroencephalography Monitoring.

The Neurodiagnostic journal·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 26, 2026

Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy DISE with Target Controlled Infusion TCI and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea
07:54

Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy DISE with Target Controlled Infusion TCI and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Published on: December 6, 2016

19.7K

Sedation alternatives.

Petra N Davidson

    The Neurodiagnostic Journal
    |August 2, 2014
    PubMed
    Summary
    This summary is machine-generated.

    Sedation for pediatric electroencephalography (EEG) can be reduced by preparing children and creating a child-friendly environment. This approach avoids sedatives like chloral hydrate, promoting safer neurophysiological testing.

    More Related Videos

    Assessing Changes in Volatile General Anesthetic Sensitivity of Mice after Local or Systemic Pharmacological Intervention
    08:49

    Assessing Changes in Volatile General Anesthetic Sensitivity of Mice after Local or Systemic Pharmacological Intervention

    Published on: October 16, 2013

    13.5K
    Recording Brain Electromagnetic Activity During the Administration of the Gaseous Anesthetic Agents Xenon and Nitrous Oxide in Healthy Volunteers
    14:52

    Recording Brain Electromagnetic Activity During the Administration of the Gaseous Anesthetic Agents Xenon and Nitrous Oxide in Healthy Volunteers

    Published on: January 13, 2018

    10.9K

    Related Experiment Videos

    Last Updated: Apr 26, 2026

    Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy DISE with Target Controlled Infusion TCI and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea
    07:54

    Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy DISE with Target Controlled Infusion TCI and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea

    Published on: December 6, 2016

    19.7K
    Assessing Changes in Volatile General Anesthetic Sensitivity of Mice after Local or Systemic Pharmacological Intervention
    08:49

    Assessing Changes in Volatile General Anesthetic Sensitivity of Mice after Local or Systemic Pharmacological Intervention

    Published on: October 16, 2013

    13.5K
    Recording Brain Electromagnetic Activity During the Administration of the Gaseous Anesthetic Agents Xenon and Nitrous Oxide in Healthy Volunteers
    14:52

    Recording Brain Electromagnetic Activity During the Administration of the Gaseous Anesthetic Agents Xenon and Nitrous Oxide in Healthy Volunteers

    Published on: January 13, 2018

    10.9K

    Area of Science:

    • Neurophysiology
    • Pediatric Medicine
    • Medical Imaging Techniques

    Background:

    • Sedation is often used for pediatric electroencephalography (EEG) to ensure patient cooperation and data quality.
    • Chloral hydrate has been a common sedative in EEG labs, but its use is increasingly questioned.
    • Prior research suggests that adequate preparation and a child-friendly environment can significantly reduce the need for sedation.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To advocate for the exploration and adoption of alternatives to sedation in neurophysiological testing, specifically EEG.
    • To discourage the routine use of sedatives for pediatric EEG procedures.
    • To highlight the benefits of non-sedative approaches for pediatric neurophysiological assessments.

    Main Methods:

    • Review of electroencephalography (EEG) laboratory websites to assess current practices regarding sedation.
    • Comprehensive literature review on sedation alternatives and their efficacy in pediatric neurophysiological testing.
    • Incorporation of over ten years of clinical experience as a neurophysiology technologist.

    Main Results:

    • Evidence suggests that non-sedative methods, including environmental modifications and patient preparation, are viable alternatives to sedation for pediatric EEG.
    • The continued reliance on sedatives like chloral hydrate for pediatric EEG is noted, despite recommendations for avoidance.
    • Successful implementation of sedation-free protocols in some EEG labs indicates feasibility and potential benefits.

    Conclusions:

    • Sedation for pediatric EEG can be significantly minimized or eliminated through proactive patient preparation and environmental adjustments.
    • The neurophysiology field should prioritize the development and implementation of sedation alternatives for safer and more child-friendly testing.
    • Discouraging the use of sedatives like chloral hydrate in favor of alternative strategies is recommended for pediatric neurophysiological evaluations.