Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 23, 2025

Adaptation of Microelectrode Array Technology for the Study of Anesthesia-induced Neurotoxicity in the Intact Piglet Brain
08:23

Adaptation of Microelectrode Array Technology for the Study of Anesthesia-induced Neurotoxicity in the Intact Piglet Brain

Published on: May 12, 2018

9.6K

Does a Single Exposure to General Anesthesia Have a Cumulative Effect on the Developing Brain after Mild Perinatal

Sebastian Isac1,2, Bogdan Pavel1, Maria Dobre3

  • 1Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania.

Life (Basel, Switzerland)
|October 27, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Perinatal asphyxia (PA) and general anesthesia (GA) both activate glial cells in immature rat brains, but do not worsen each other. PA alone reduces mobility, while memory remains unaffected by either exposure.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Pediatric Anesthesiology
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • General anesthesia (GA) is common in pediatric patients.
  • Infants with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy face increased anesthesia risks.
  • Perinatal asphyxia (PA) is a significant risk factor for adverse outcomes in neonates.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of sevoflurane-induced GA on the immature brain following perinatal asphyxia (PA).
  • To assess the combined effects of PA and GA on neuroinflammation and behavior in a rat model.

Main Methods:

  • Wistar rats were exposed to PA on postnatal day 6 and GA on postnatal day 15.
  • Four groups were studied: Control, PA, GA, and PA-GA.
  • Hippocampal S-100B and IL-1B levels were measured using ELISA.
  • Behavioral tests (forced swimming, novel object recognition) were conducted at maturity.

Main Results:

  • Both PA and GA increased hippocampal S-100B levels.
  • PA elevated IL-1B, while PA-GA showed decreased IL-1B.
  • Increased immobility was observed in PA and PA-GA groups during the forced swimming test.
  • Novel object recognition test showed no significant memory impairment.

Conclusions:

  • PA and GA independently contribute to glial activation in the immature brain.
  • No cumulative effect of PA and GA on glial activation was observed.
  • PA negatively impacts motor behavior, independent of GA exposure.
  • Memory function, assessed by novel object recognition, was not affected by PA or GA.
Abstract

Keywords:
behavioral impairmentsgeneral anesthesiaglial activationhippocampusneuroinflammationperinatal asphyxia

More Related Videos

Assessing Changes in Synaptic Plasticity Using an Awake Closed-Head Injury Model of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury09:49

Assessing Changes in Synaptic Plasticity Using an Awake Closed-Head Injury Model of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Published on: January 20, 2023

3.3K
Construction of Vapor Chambers Used to Expose Mice to Alcohol During the Equivalent of all Three Trimesters of Human Development15:27

Construction of Vapor Chambers Used to Expose Mice to Alcohol During the Equivalent of all Three Trimesters of Human Development

Published on: July 13, 2014

14.8K

Related Concept Videos

Stages of General Anesthesia01:22

Stages of General Anesthesia

Various sedation levels offer significant advantages in facilitating procedural interventions for patients undergoing medical or invasive surgical procedures. These levels span from anxiolysis to general anesthesia, providing a spectrum of sedative effects to cater to specific patient needs. Anxiolysis reduces anxiety and is achieved through minimal sedation, enabling patients to remain awake and responsive while feeling more at ease during the procedure. This level can benefit minor...
590
General Anesthesia: Overview01:24

General Anesthesia: Overview

Anesthesia is a medical procedure that uses drugs for CNS suppression to enable painless surgeries and procedures. The selection of anesthetics is influenced by their pharmacokinetic properties, side effects, and patient characteristics. Various types of anesthesia include general, local, regional, spinal, and inhalational.
General anesthesia induces unconsciousness in the whole body, while the others target specific areas or sensations. It is administered to minimize adverse effects, maintain...
270
Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview01:24

Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview

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.
185