Comparison of the EEG effects of midazolam, thiopental, and propofol: The role of underlying oscillatory systems Journal Article


Authors: Feshchenko, V. A.; Veselis, R. A.; Reinsel, R. A.
Article Title: Comparison of the EEG effects of midazolam, thiopental, and propofol: The role of underlying oscillatory systems
Abstract: The EEG effects of 3 intravenous sedative drugs from different chemical families were studied during conscious sedation in 47 normal volunteers. The drugs studied were midazolam (a benzodiazepine), propofol (an alkylphenol) and thiopental (a barbiturate). Though these drugs cause different degrees of amnesia, they have the common EEG effects of suppressing α-rhythm and increasing total β-power. A large portion of the increase in β-power can be accounted for by β-rhythms. We used the UNIFAC-EEG technique to differentiate oscillatory systems underlying the rhythms induced by these drugs in a quantitative fashion. While thiopental induced β-rhythms which were similar to those appearing during drowsiness, midazolam and propofol induced β-rhythms with substantially different characteristics. The differences between the β-rhythms induced by drug infusion and previously described 'sleep spindles' are discussed. We conclude that a quantitative analysis of β-rhythms can differentiate the effects of these drugs on the EEG.
Keywords: adult; controlled study; clinical trial; controlled clinical trial; randomized controlled trial; midazolam; propofol; sedation; drug effect; brain; drug infusion; brain mapping; electroencephalogram; volunteer; intravenous drug administration; normal human; electroencephalography; human experiment; thiopental; sedative agent; eeg; humans; human; male; female; priority journal; article; alpha rhythm; beta rhythm; β-rhythm; sleep spindles
Journal Title: Neuropharmacology
Volume: 35
Issue: 4
ISSN: 0028-3908
Publisher: Pergamon-Elsevier Science Ltd  
Date Published: 1997-01-01
Start Page: 211
End Page: 220
Language: English
PUBMED: 9246224
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI: 10.1159/000119347
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 17 March 2017 -- Source: Scopus
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  1. Robert A Veselis
    98 Veselis
  2. Ruth A Reinsel
    78 Reinsel