Breakdown of local information processing may underlie isoflurane anesthesia effects

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1005511
• Publication Date: 2017-06-01T13:37:53Z
• Authors: Patricia Wollstadt; Kristin K. Sellers; Lucas Rudelt; Viola Priesemann; Axel Hutt; Flavio Fröhlich; Michael Wibral
• Keywords: Consciousness; Bioinformatics; QH301-705.5; 1.1 Normal biological development and functioning; Biological Psychology; 610; Prefrontal Cortex; 612; Unconsciousness; 573; Mathematical Sciences; 03 medical and health sciences; Mental Processes; 0302 clinical medicine; Underpinning research; Information and Computing Sciences; Psychology; Animals; Anesthesia; ddc:610; Biology (General); Anesthetics; ddc:610; 020; Isoflurane; Neurosciences; Ferrets; 006; Biological Sciences; Brain Disorders; Inhalation; Quantitative Biology - Neurons and Cognition; FOS: Biological sciences; Physical Sciences; Neurological; Anesthetics, Inhalation; Female; Neurons and Cognition (q-bio.NC); Research Article

The disruption of coupling between brain areas has been suggested as the mechanism underlying loss consciousness in anesthesia. This hypothesis tested previously by measuring information transfer areas, and taking reduced a proxy for decoupling. Yet, is function amount available source-such that decreases even unchanged when less source available. Therefore, we asked whether impaired local processing leads to transfer. An important prediction this alternative changes locally (signal entropy) should be at least pronounced We recording field potentials two ferrets after administration isoflurane concentrations 0.0 %, 0.5 1.0 %. found strong entropy under area V1 prefrontal cortex (PFC)-as predicted our hypothesis. decrease was stronger PFC. Information PFC bidirectionally, but with from V1. links entropy, suggesting reduces conclusion fits observation synaptic targets are located cortical circuits rather than on synapses formed interareal axonal projections. Thus, seem consequence more decoupling areas. suggest must considered whenever interpreting