Visual P2-N2 complex and arousal at the time of encoding predict the time domain characteristics of amnesia for multiple intravenous anesthetic drugs in humans.

TitleVisual P2-N2 complex and arousal at the time of encoding predict the time domain characteristics of amnesia for multiple intravenous anesthetic drugs in humans.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2010
AuthorsPryor KO, Reinsel RA, Mehta M, Li Y, Wixted JT, Veselis RA
JournalAnesthesiology
Volume113
Issue2
Pagination313-26
Date Published2010 Aug
ISSN1528-1175
KeywordsAdolescent, Adult, Amnesia, Anesthetics, Intravenous, Arousal, Electroencephalography, Evoked Potentials, Visual, Female, Humans, Male, Memory, Middle Aged, Parietal Lobe, Predictive Value of Tests, Psychomotor Performance, Reaction Time, Young Adult
Abstract

BACKGROUND: Intravenous anesthetics have marked effects on memory function, even at subclinical concentrations. Fundamental questions remain in characterizing anesthetic amnesia and identifying affected system-level processes. The authors applied a mathematical model to evaluate time-domain components of anesthetic amnesia in human subjects.

METHODS: Sixty-one volunteers were randomized to receive propofol (n = 12), thiopental (n = 13), midazolam (n = 12), dexmedetomidine (n = 12), or placebo (n = 12). With drug present, subjects encoded pictures into memory using a 375-item continuous recognition task, with subsequent recognition later probed with drug absent. Memory function was sampled at up to 163 time points and modeled over the time domain using a two-parameter, first-order negative power function. The parietal event-related P2-N2 complex was derived from electroencephalography, and arousal was repeatedly sampled. Each drug was evaluated at two concentrations.

RESULTS: The negative power function consistently described the course of amnesia (mean R = 0.854), but there were marked differences between drugs in the modulation of individual components (P < 0.0001). Initial memory strength was a function of arousal (P = 0.005), whereas subsequent decay was related to the reaction time (P < 0.0001) and the P2-N2 complex (P = 0.007/0.002 for discrete components).

CONCLUSIONS: In humans, the amnesia caused by multiple intravenous anesthetic drugs is characterized by arousal-related effects on initial trace strength, and a subsequent decay predicted by attenuation of the P2-N2 complex at encoding. The authors propose that the failure of normal memory consolidation follows drug-induced disruption of interregional synchrony critical for neuronal plasticity and discuss their findings in the framework of memory systems theory.

DOI10.1097/ALN.0b013e3181dfd401
Alternate JournalAnesthesiology
PubMed ID20613477
PubMed Central IDPMC2910207
Grant ListK08 GM083213-01 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States
K08 GM083213-04 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States
K08GM083213 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States