The arousal effect of An-Gong-Niu-Huang-Wan on alcoholic-induced coma rats: A research based on EEG

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Acute alcohol intoxication is one of the leading causes of coma. A well-regarded Chinese herbal formula, known as An-Gong-Niu-Huang-Wan (AGNHW), has garnered recognition for its efficacy in treating various brain disorders associated with impaired consciousness, including acute alcohol-induced coma. Despite its clinical effectiveness, the scientific community lacks comprehensive research on the mechanistic aspects of AGNHW's impact on the electroencephalogram (EEG) patterns observed during alcohol-induced coma. Gaining a deeper understanding of AGNHW's mechanism of action in relation to EEG characteristics would hold immense importance, serving as a solid foundation for further advancing its clinical therapeutic application.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The study sought to investigate the impact of AGNHW on EEG activity and sleep EEG patterns in rats with alcoholic-induced coma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A rat model of alcohol-induced coma was used to examine the effects of AGNHW on EEG patterns. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were intraperitoneally injected with 32% ethanol to induce a coma, followed by treatment with AGNHW. Wireless electrodes were implanted in the cortex of the rats to obtain EEG signals. Our analysis focused on evaluating alterations in the Rat Coma Scale (RCS), as well as assessing changes in the frequency and distribution of EEG patterns, sleep rhythms, and body temperature subsequent to AGNHW treatment.

RESULTS

The study found a significant increase in the δ-band power ratio, as well as a decrease in RCS scores and β-band power ratio after modeling. AGNHW treatment significantly reduced the δ-band power ratio and increased the β-band power ratio compared to naloxone, suggesting its superior arousal effects. The results also revealed a decrease in the time proportion of WAKE and REM EEG patterns after modeling, accompanied by a significant increase in the time proportion of NREM EEG patterns. Both naloxone and AGNHW effectively counteracted the disordered sleep EEG patterns. Additionally, AGNHW was more effective than naloxone in improving hypothermia caused by acute alcohol poisoning in rats.

CONCLUSION

Our study provides evidence for the arousal effects of AGNHW in alcohol-induced coma rats. It also suggests a potential role for AGNHW in regulating post-comatose sleep rhythm disorders.

Brain Data in Pediatric Disorders of Consciousness: Special Considerations

SUMMARY

The diagnosis and management of disorders of consciousness in children continue to present a clinical, research, and ethical challenge. Though the practice guidelines for diagnosis and management of disorders of consciousness in adults are supported by decades of empirical and pragmatic evidence, similar guidelines for infants and children are lacking. The maturing conscious experience and the limited behavioral repertoire to report consciousness in this age group restrict extrapolation from the adult literature. Equally challenging is the process of heightened structural and functional neuroplasticity in the developing brain, which adds a layer of complexity to the investigation of the neural correlates of consciousness in infants and children. This review discusses the clinical assessment of pediatric disorders of consciousness and delineates the diagnostic and prognostic utility of neurophysiological and neuroimaging correlates of consciousness. The potential relevance of these correlates for the developing brain based on existing theoretical models of consciousness in adults is outlined.

[EEG--when and how?]

BACKGROUND

Electroencephalography (EEG) is used for studying functional disorders of the brain. We provide an overview of the areas where EEG is most strongly indicated and the clinical benefit of the examination.

METHOD

This article is based on articles from personal literature archives and literature searches in PubMed, textbook on methods in clinical neurophysiology, the work of one of the authors on a new European standard for EEG and the authors' clinical experience.

RESULTS

EEG is primarily indicated for assessing suspected epileptic seizures and encephalopathies. Standard EEG, sleep-deprived EEG and long-term EEG examinations are used in diagnosing epilepsy. EEG will identify epileptiform activity in about 90% of patients with epilepsy. Epileptiform EEG activity in these patients will provide support for the diagnosis of epilepsy, while the absence of such activity will not exclude the diagnosis. EEG is also important for classifying the type of epileptic syndrome. In cases of encephalopathy, pathology will take the form of an increase in slow activity on the EEG and will support the diagnosis, but as a rule the EEG finding is non-specific. Findings in some cases may point to the underlying aetiology.

INTERPRETATION

Electroencephalograms must be interpreted by an experienced clinical neurophysiologist or neurologist with specialist expertise in EEG interpretation, and must always be evaluated in the light of the clinical picture.