A Study of Human Multi-Sensory Integration

This is a prospective, dual parallel arm human subject study aimed at determining the relationship between level of sedation (consciousness) and features of multi and uni-sensory evoked potentials with the ultimate goal of developing novel means of detecting consciousness under anesthesia with potential for application to other clinical settings such as brain injury. For this purpose, the investigators have chosen two anesthetics with fundamentally distinct mechanisms of action: propofol and ketamine. The study will involve healthy compensated volunteers. On the day of the study, an EEG cap will be applied to the participant for monitoring brain activity and an intravenous line will be placed for drug administration. Blood pressure, ECG, pulse oxymetry, and end-tidal carbon dioxide (from nasal cannula) will be monitored. Supplemental oxygen will be administered using a nasal cannula. Subjects will then perform the behavioral tasks in the awake state for approximately 1 hour. After this phase is complete, participants will receive either propofol or ketamine (chosen permuted block randomization) using a clinician bolus/infusion strategy titrated to Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale score of -1 (see above). Once the desired sedation level is achieved, subjects will once again complete the behavioral tasks. After the completion of this phase (approximately 1 hour) the anesthetic dose will be increased to attain Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale -3 to -4. At this level of sedation subjects will not be able to do the behavioral task and only the evoked potentials will be recorded. Upon completion of this phase (approximately 1 hour), sedation level will be decreased to return the subject to a Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale of -1 and once again the tasks will be repeated. Finally, the anesthetic infusion will be stopped. Once the Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale score of 0 is attained, participants will once again perform the behavioral task (approximately 1 hour). This will conclude the experimental phase of the trial. Subjects will be monitored until clinically established discharge criteria are met. This includes adequate respiration, blood pressure, oxygen saturation and activity level. No formal follow-up is required; however, subjects will be called 24 hours after study completion.