Effect of propranolol on cortical electrical activity in conscious and anesthetized rats

The effect of propranolol on electrocorticographic (ECoG) activity was studied in conscious and anesthetized rats. Cortical electrodes and femoral venous cannulae were implanted 5 days before the experiments. The ECoG was recorded continuously and analyzed to different frequency bands, 2 hr before and 4 hr after the administration of propranolol. After a single infusion of 2 and 5 mg/kg or 5 consecutive daily doses of 2 mg/kg propranolol, frequent bursts of large amplitude 6-7 c/sec wave in the ECoG were observed. This ECoG phenomenon lasted between 60-100 min after the infusion of propranolol and was entirely abolished by pentobarbital anesthesia. Frequency analysis of the ECoG showed an immediate shift from predominantly delta (delta 0.5-4 c/sec) activity to overwhelmingly theta (theta 4-8 c/sec) activity following the infusion of propranolol. It is suggested that these changes in ECoG induced by propranolol are related to the sleep-enhancing and tranquilizing effects of propranolol.