Anesthesiology
-
Transitions into conscious states are partially mediated by inactivation of sleep networks and activation of arousal networks. Pharmacologic hastening of emergence from general anesthesia has largely focused on activating subcortical monoaminergic networks, with little attention on antagonizing the γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptor (GABAAR). As the GABAAR mediates the clinical effects of many common general anesthetics, the authors hypothesized that negative GABAAR modulators would hasten emergence, possibly via cortical networks involved in sleep. ⋯ Flumazenil can modulate emergence from isoflurane anesthesia. The authors highlight the complex role GABAARs play in mediating consciousness and provide mechanistic links between emergence from anesthesia and arousal.