Disconnecting consciousness
Lucas Campos, Adrian Pichurko, George A. Mashour
Advances in Consciousness Research October 28, 2010 DOI: 10.1075/aicr.79.10cam
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractGeneral anaesthetics rapidly and reversibly stop consciousness, making them a powerful tool for studying the transition between conscious and unconscious states. With 40 million patients in North America alone receiving general anaesthesia each year, the operating room offers a controlled environment to investigate the molecular and cognitive mechanisms underlying consciousness.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key finding | General anaesthetics can be used to study the transition from conscious to unconscious processing in a highly controlled setting. |
Abstract
We discuss the molecular and cognitive mechanisms of general anaesthesia and their relevance to the science of consciousness. General anaesthetics serve as an important tool to explore the transitions from conscious to unconscious processing, as these drugs rapidly induce a complete and reversible cessation of consciousness. With 40,000,000 patients undergoing general anaesthesia each year in North America alone, the highly controlled and monitored setting of the operating room can become the ultimate consciousness laboratory.