Top-down mechanisms of anesthetic-induced unconsciousness
The question of how structurally and pharmacologically diverse general anesthetics disrupt consciousness has persisted since the 19th century. There has traditionally been a significant focus on bottom-up mechanisms of anesthetic action, in terms of sensory processing, arousal systems and structura...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2014-06-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fnsys.2014.00115/full |
| _version_ | 1811259341899038720 |
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| author | George A. Mashour |
| author_facet | George A. Mashour |
| author_sort | George A. Mashour |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The question of how structurally and pharmacologically diverse general anesthetics disrupt consciousness has persisted since the 19th century. There has traditionally been a significant focus on bottom-up mechanisms of anesthetic action, in terms of sensory processing, arousal systems and structural scales. However, recent evidence suggests that the neural mechanisms of anesthetic-induced unconsciousness may involve a top-down process, which parallels current perspectives on the neurobiology of conscious experience itself. This article considers various arguments for top-down mechanisms of anesthetic-induced unconsciousness, with a focus on sensory processing and sleep-wake networks. Furthermore, recent theoretical work is discussed to highlight the possibility that top-down explanations may be causally sufficient, even assuming critical bottom-up events. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T18:30:02Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2ae12909399946d795c7ac668dd015b7 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1662-5137 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T18:30:02Z |
| publishDate | 2014-06-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience |
| spelling | doaj.art-2ae12909399946d795c7ac668dd015b72022-12-22T03:21:07ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience1662-51372014-06-01810.3389/fnsys.2014.0011597687Top-down mechanisms of anesthetic-induced unconsciousnessGeorge A. Mashour0University of Michigan Medical SchoolThe question of how structurally and pharmacologically diverse general anesthetics disrupt consciousness has persisted since the 19th century. There has traditionally been a significant focus on bottom-up mechanisms of anesthetic action, in terms of sensory processing, arousal systems and structural scales. However, recent evidence suggests that the neural mechanisms of anesthetic-induced unconsciousness may involve a top-down process, which parallels current perspectives on the neurobiology of conscious experience itself. This article considers various arguments for top-down mechanisms of anesthetic-induced unconsciousness, with a focus on sensory processing and sleep-wake networks. Furthermore, recent theoretical work is discussed to highlight the possibility that top-down explanations may be causally sufficient, even assuming critical bottom-up events.http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fnsys.2014.00115/fullAnesthesia, GeneralAnesthesia, InhalationConsciousnessSleepPropofol; anesthesiaketamine anaesthesia |
| spellingShingle | George A. Mashour Top-down mechanisms of anesthetic-induced unconsciousness Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience Anesthesia, General Anesthesia, Inhalation Consciousness Sleep Propofol; anesthesia ketamine anaesthesia |
| title | Top-down mechanisms of anesthetic-induced unconsciousness |
| title_full | Top-down mechanisms of anesthetic-induced unconsciousness |
| title_fullStr | Top-down mechanisms of anesthetic-induced unconsciousness |
| title_full_unstemmed | Top-down mechanisms of anesthetic-induced unconsciousness |
| title_short | Top-down mechanisms of anesthetic-induced unconsciousness |
| title_sort | top down mechanisms of anesthetic induced unconsciousness |
| topic | Anesthesia, General Anesthesia, Inhalation Consciousness Sleep Propofol; anesthesia ketamine anaesthesia |
| url | http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fnsys.2014.00115/full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT georgeamashour topdownmechanismsofanestheticinducedunconsciousness |