AUTHOR=Jiang Jingyao , Zhao Yi , Liu Jin , Yang Yaoxin , Liang Peng , Huang Han , Wu Yongkang , Kang Yi , Zhu Tao , Zhou Cheng 

TITLE=Signatures of Thalamocortical Alpha Oscillations and Synchronization With Increased Anesthetic Depths Under Isoflurane

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Pharmacology

VOLUME=13

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2022.887981

DOI=10.3389/fphar.2022.887981

ISSN=1663-9812

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Background:</bold> Electroencephalography (EEG) recordings under propofol exhibit an increase in slow and alpha oscillation power and dose-dependent phase–amplitude coupling (PAC), which underlie GABA<sub>A</sub> potentiation and the central role of thalamocortical entrainment. However, the exact EEG signatures elicited by volatile anesthetics and the possible neurophysiological mechanisms remain unclear.</p><p><bold>Methods:</bold> Cortical EEG signals and thalamic local field potential (LFP) were recorded in a mouse model to detect EEG signatures induced by 0.9%, 1.5%, and 2.0% isoflurane. Then, the power of the EEG spectrum, thalamocortical coherence, and slow–alpha phase–amplitude coupling were analyzed. A computational model based on the thalamic network was used to determine the primary neurophysiological mechanisms of alpha spiking of thalamocortical neurons under isoflurane anesthesia.</p><p><bold>Results:</bold> Isoflurane at 0.9% (light anesthesia) increased the power of slow and delta oscillations both in cortical EEG and in thalamic LFP. Isoflurane at 1.5% (surgery anesthesia) increased the power of alpha oscillations both in cortical EEG and in thalamic LFP. Isoflurane at 2% (deep anesthesia) further increased the power of cortical alpha oscillations, while thalamic alpha oscillations were unchanged. Thalamocortical coherence of alpha oscillation only exhibited a significant increase under 1.5% isoflurane. Isoflurane-induced PAC modulation remained unchanged throughout under various concentrations of isoflurane. By adjusting the parameters in the computational model, isoflurane-induced alpha spiking in thalamocortical neurons was simulated, which revealed the potential molecular targets and the thalamic network involved in isoflurane-induced alpha spiking in thalamocortical neurons.</p><p><bold>Conclusion:</bold> The EEG changes in the cortical alpha oscillation, thalamocortical coherence, and slow–alpha PAC may provide neurophysiological signatures for monitoring isoflurane anesthesia at various depths.</p>