Propofol sedation

2. Propofol: pharmacological properties

Propofol is an intravenous anesthetic that has been used for over 25 years in procedural sedation and general anesthesia. Its actions include:

• Potentiation of GABA-A receptors → enhancement of inhibitory processes

• Activation of glycine receptors → synchronization of neuronal activity

• Inhibition of NMDA receptors → reduction of pathological excitability

This combination of mechanisms makes propofol a unique candidate for modulating emotional states in depression and anxiety disorders.

3. Advantages of propofol in clinical practice

• Rapid onset of action and short half-life

• Possibility of precise dosing and rapid recovery of consciousness

• High safety profile even in patients at risk of complications

This makes propofol a convenient agent for use in outpatient settings.

4. Neurobiological changes in depression

Studies show that patients with depression experience:

• Decreased thickness of the cerebral cortex in:

  • rostral middle frontal gyrus

  • parahippocampal gyrus

  • posterior cingulate cortex

• Reduction in the area of the insular cortex , which disrupts emotional and bodily self-awareness

5. Clinical potential of propofol in depression

Recent studies in the US confirm the effectiveness of propofol in:

• Treatment-resistant depression

• Rapid improvement in emotional state , probably due to the restoration of neural connections responsible for mood

The greatest clinical effect was observed in patients with a smaller decrease in left hippocampal volume , which may be due to the acute anti-inflammatory effect of the drug.

6. Propofol for PTSD

Пропофол демонструє потенціал у лікуванні посттравматичного стресового розладу (ПТСР):

• Reduces long-term impairments in synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus

• Promotes faster fading of traumatic memory

• Increases the ability to learn and restore memory after traumatic events

7. Implementation prospects

Current research focuses on:

• Optimization of dosing regimens

• Studying the duration of effect and safety upon repeated administration

Integrating propofol into treatment protocols for severe depression and PTSD may open new therapeutic horizons and improve patients' quality of life.