Norepinephrine Infusion into Nucleus Basalis Elicits Microarousal in Desflurane-anesthetized Rats

Abstract

Norepinephrine infusion into the nucleus basalis of Meynert can modulate anesthetic depth presumably by ascending activation of the cortex. The transient nature of the responses suggests a similarity with microarousals normally observed during natural sleep, and may imply a mechanism for transient awareness under light anesthesia.