The effect of low dose sevoflurane on saccadic eye movement latency

✍ Scribed by R. H. S. Carpenter; M. J. L. Descamps; C. H. Morley; T. S. Leary; J. G. Jones

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2002
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 72 KB
• Volume: 57
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0003-2409
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2044.2002.02780.x

✦ Synopsis

Summary We investigated the effects of a low concentration of sevoflurane on a saccadic eye movement task that reflects the performance of higher neural decision and control mechanisms. The experiments were performed double‐blind in five subjects, using either 0.15% end‐tidal sevoflurane in oxygen, or pure oxygen as a placebo. Saccades were recorded and analysed using a computer‐based recording system that also controlled the presentation of visual targets. Administration of oxygen produced no significant change in median latency compared with breathing air; but in four of the five subjects, administration of sevoflurane in oxygen caused a significant increase in latency. These results suggest that measurement of median saccadic latency may be a useful functional measurement of impairment of performance during recovery from anaesthesia.