Why Do Some Patients Under General Anaesthetic Remain Aware

Around one in 500 people who undergo a general anaesthetic are aware of what's happening during their operation. On Friday 12 May leading anaesthetists and scientists studying consciousness will meet for the very first time to try to find out why this happens and, crucially, how to prevent it. Recent advances in our understanding of consciousness may help prevent this problem from occurring in the future.

Dr Chris Pomfrett, Honorary Secretary of the RSM's Anaesthesia Section explains more: 'Anaesthetists are practitioners of consciousness, paralysis, and pain relief. Rarely, the balance between these drugs can be wrong and the patient can still be conscious and in pain during surgery, but paralysed so they cannot communicate. Surgery becomes the worst form of torture for the individuals concerned and they can relive it for years onwards'.

According to Mike Alkire, Professor of Anaesthesiology at the University of California-Irvine and one of the speakers at the event: 'Currently, the anaesthesia community is struggling with ensuring unconsciousness properly occurs in all surgical patients that need general anaesthesia. This problem could be significantly helped with a fuller understanding of consciousness itself. Combining anaesthesia research with consciousness research will crucially advance both fields. Anaesthesia can be used to test current theories of consciousness and theories of consciousness can be used to help guide the development of better monitoring techniques and safer anaesthesia delivery'.

'It is an exciting time in consciousness and anesthesia research, as modern technology is allowing us to view the workings of the brain at unprecedented spatial and temporal resolutions. Spurred on by this imaging revolution, an understanding of human consciousness, and what anesthesia does to make consciousness go away, is close at hand.' says Prof Alkire.

The day long conference, organised by the Royal Institution and the Royal Society of Medicine, will bring together the world's leading experts to examine the latest research and development in measuring anaesthetic depth and the understanding of consciousness. Following the meeting, there will be an evening event for the general public chaired by Baroness Susan Greenfield, where the audience can gain an insight into this fascinating cutting-edge area of interdisciplinary research and ask their own questions of the experts.

-- The Royal Institution is a scientific charity that, for over 200 years, has been committed to scientific discovery and communication. Our enthusiasm for science means we hope to involve the public in scientific debate and inform the public about science that affects their lives.

-- The event is in association with the Royal Society of Medicine. The RSM is an independent, apolitical organisation, founded 200 years ago. We are one of the largest providers of continuing medical education in the UK, via accredited courses for continuing professional development for doctors, dentists, veterinary surgeons and other healthcare professionals..

-- 'Are you comfortably numb?' will take place at 7.00pm at:
The Royal Society of Medicine
1 Wimpole Street
London W1G 0AE
UK
Tickets cost ?.00 standard/ ?.00 concessions and to book you need to visit http://www.rigb.org or call the Events Team at the Royal Institution on (+44) (0)20 7409 2992.

http://www.rigb.org
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Why Do Some Patients Under General Anaesthetic Remain Aware