Enhanced Functional Connectivity of the Precuneus in Propofol Sedation

In this study, we investigated the effects of propofol sedation on the functional connectivity of the precuneus, an important neural structure to human consciousness in the posteromedial parietal cortex. We found that, contrary to our hypothesis, compared with wakefulness deep sedation at the point of unresponsiveness (with auditory stimuli continuously supplied) is marked by an increase of precuneus connectivity, particularly in the dorsal medial prefrontal and visual cortices. The enhanced cortical connectivity of the precuneus may reflect disconnected endogenous mentation or dreaming that continues at a lower rate of energy consumption during the unresponsive state of propofol sedation.

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