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Updated: Jun 23, 2025

Assessing Changes in Volatile General Anesthetic Sensitivity of Mice after Local or Systemic Pharmacological Intervention
Published on: October 16, 2013
The activity of cholinergic neurons in the basal forebrain interferes with anesthesia-arousal process of propofol
Cai-Hua Feng1, Xiao-Nan Du2, Zhi Wang3
1State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Shaanxi Engineering Research Center for Dental Materials and Advanced Manufacture, Department of Anesthesiology, School of Stomatology, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China.
Abstract:
Previous research has demonstrated that basal forebrain (BF) regulates arousal during propofol anesthesia. However, as the BF comprises cholinergic neurons alongside two other types of neurons, the specific role of cholinergic neurons has not been definitively elucidated. In our study, calcium signal imaging was utilized to monitor the real-time activities of cholinergic neurons in the BF during propofol anesthesia. Additionally, we selectively stimulated these neurons to investigate EEG and behavioral responses during propofol anesthesia. Furthermore, we specifically lesioned cholinergic neurons in the BF to investigate the sensitivity to propofol and the induction time. The results revealed that propofol suppressed calcium signals of cholinergic neurons within the BF following intraperitoneal injection. Notably, upon recovery of the righting reflex, the calcium signals partially recovered. Spectral analysis of the EEG elucidated that optical stimulation of cholinergic neurons led to a decrease in δ power underlie propofol anesthesia. Conversely, depletion of cholinergic neurons in the BF enhanced sensitivity to propofol and shortened the induction time. These findings clarify the role of cholinergic neurons in the anesthesia-arousal process, as well as the depth and the sensitivity of propofol anesthesia.
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