Source-level Cortical Power Changes for Xenon and Nitrous Oxide–induced Reductions in Consciousness in Healthy Male Volunteers

Abstract

Background: Investigations of the electrophysiology of gaseous anesthetics xenon and nitrous oxide are limited revealing inconsistent frequency-dependent alterations in spectral power and functional connectivity. Here, the authors describe the effects of sedative, equivalent, stepwise levels of xenon and nitrous oxide administration on oscillatory source power using a crossover design to investigate shared and disparate mechanisms of gaseous xenon and nitrous oxide anesthesia. Methods: Twenty-one healthy males underwent simultaneous magnetoencephalography and electroencephalography recordings. In separate sessions, sedative, equivalent subanesthetic doses of gaseous anesthetic agents nitrous..