Misha Perouansky1, Robert A Pearce. 1. Department of Anesthesiology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, B6/319 Clinical Science Center, 600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53792-3272, USA. mperouansky@wisc.edu
Abstract
PURPOSE: The hippocampal formation occupies a central position for the processing of sensory input into learned, remembered, and consciously retrievable information. The mechanisms by which anesthetic drugs interfere with these processes are now emerging. We review the current understanding of the role of the hippocampal formation in the generation of memory traces and how anesthetics might interfere with its function. CLINICAL FEATURES: Intraoperative amnesia is a desired endpoint of general anesthesia from the perspective of both the patient and the practitioner. "Intraoperative awareness with recall" can result when learning and memory do occur. In addition, anesthetics are capable of inducing a state of "conscious amnesia" that can provide insight into the workings of the brain and might be useful clinically. CONCLUSIONS: Anesthesiologists routinely induce the most fascinating pharmacologic effects in existence, the reversible interference of anesthetics with higher cognitive functions. Understanding how the drugs in our custody exert their effects should be our contribution to mankind's universal knowledge base.
PURPOSE: The hippocampal formation occupies a central position for the processing of sensory input into learned, remembered, and consciously retrievable information. The mechanisms by which anesthetic drugs interfere with these processes are now emerging. We review the current understanding of the role of the hippocampal formation in the generation of memory traces and how anesthetics might interfere with its function. CLINICAL FEATURES: Intraoperative amnesia is a desired endpoint of general anesthesia from the perspective of both the patient and the practitioner. "Intraoperative awareness with recall" can result when learning and memory do occur. In addition, anesthetics are capable of inducing a state of "conscious amnesia" that can provide insight into the workings of the brain and might be useful clinically. CONCLUSIONS: Anesthesiologists routinely induce the most fascinating pharmacologic effects in existence, the reversible interference of anesthetics with higher cognitive functions. Understanding how the drugs in our custody exert their effects should be our contribution to mankind's universal knowledge base.
Authors: Victor Y Cheng; Loren J Martin; Erin M Elliott; John H Kim; Howard T J Mount; Franco A Taverna; John C Roder; John F Macdonald; Amit Bhambri; Neil Collinson; Keith A Wafford; Beverley A Orser Journal: J Neurosci Date: 2006-04-05 Impact factor: 6.167
Authors: Thomas J McHugh; Matthew W Jones; Jennifer J Quinn; Nina Balthasar; Roberto Coppari; Joel K Elmquist; Bradford B Lowell; Michael S Fanselow; Matthew A Wilson; Susumu Tonegawa Journal: Science Date: 2007-06-07 Impact factor: 47.728