Phase-amplitude coupling during maintenance of general anaesthesia: towards a better understanding of anaesthetic-induced brain dynamics in children

Abstract

Electroencephalogram signatures associated with anaesthetic-induced loss of consciousness have been widely described in adult populations. A recent study helps verify our understanding of brain dynamics induced by anaesthetics in a paediatric population by describing a specific pattern in terms of an interaction of the phase of delta oscillations and the amplitude of alpha oscillations. This feature has potential translational implications for optimising future monitoring technologies.

Keywords: electroencephalogram; general anaesthesia; paediatric anaesthesia; phase-amplitude coupling; sevoflurane.