Power spectral analysis of the electroencephalographic and hemodynamic correlates of propofol anesthesia in the rat: Intravenous bolus administration

Based on the tail-flick response to noxious thermal stimuli, we determined in the present study that the minimal effective antinociceptive dose of propofol in adult, male Sprague-Dawley rats, given in an intravenous bolus manner, was 10 mg/kg. Simultaneous power spectral analysis of the electroencephalographic (EEG) and systemic arterial pressure signals further revealed a concomitant transient suppression of the EEG activity, primarily in the θ{symbol} and σ bands, alongside minor hypotensive and negative inotropic and chronotropic actions, but with maintained vasomotor tone. These alterations followed a time course that paralleled the plasma concentration of propofol in the arterial blood, as detected by high-performance liquid chromatography.