Neurophysiologie clinique = Clinical neurophysiology
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Little is known on effects taking place in the CNS during rapid opioid detoxification (ROD) while the patient is under anesthesia. We therefore measured EEG-power spectra in the beta, alpha, Theta, and delta-band in 36 patients undergoing ROD. Measurements were taken before, during steady-state anesthesia and following administration of the antagonist naltrexone. ⋯ Subsequent administration of S+-ketamine induced a reversal of acute abstinence-related EEG power changes: compared to anesthesia with naltrexone on board, power in the EEG increased by 65% in the delta- and decreased by 723% in the beta-band. While sympathetically induced hemodynamic alterations in anesthesia-assisted opioid detoxification can be attenuated by the alpha2-agonist clonidine and sedation, central nervous sensory activation can be attenuated by the administration of S+-ketamine (1.5 mg/kg). Since EEG alterations during acute withdrawal with naltrexone can be controlled by the non-specific NMDA-antagonist S+-ketamine, this latter presents a useful adjunct during ROD management.