Barbiturates amnesia?

[Healthinfo104]

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Obviously barbiturates are rarely used now a days since the introduction of safer sedatives/ anesthetics, but I know they still are used for certain things especially in neurology such as refractory seizures or wada tests.

When used, do they cause anterograde amnesia like other GABA acting sedatives/ hypnotics like benzos or propofol?

 

[kchan99]

Pentobarbital is used for burst suppression to treat refractory status epilepticus. Burst suppression is a form of medically induced coma and therefore similar to propofol in some respects. Patients in status epilepticus have severely decreased consciousness already. It would be hard to remember under these circumstances.

Phenobarbital is given by mouth. Like with other sedatives, tolerance for its cognitive effects develops over time.

Sorry, I don't too much about sodium amytal for the Wada test.

Obviously barbiturates are rarely used now a days since the introduction of safer sedatives/ anesthetics, but I know they still are used for certain things especially in neurology such as refractory seizures or wada tests.

When used, do they cause anterograde amnesia like other GABA acting sedatives/ hypnotics like benzos or propofol?

 

[Healthinfo104]

Pentobarbital is used for burst suppression to treat refractory status epilepticus. Burst suppression is a form of medically induced coma and therefore similar to propofol in some respects. Patients in status epilepticus have severely decreased consciousness already. It would be hard to remember under these circumstances.

Phenobarbital is given by mouth. Like with other sedatives, tolerance for its cognitive effects develops over time.

Sorry, I don't too much about sodium amytal for the Wada test.

Well just in general, aside from the patients mental status upon arrival, do barbiturates in general cause amnesia like other GABA agonist sedatives?

 

[lobelsteve]

Yes. Hey doc, i forget that i take my fioricet so i take an extra. I went through all 30 in like 5 days.....

 

[Healthinfo104]

Yes. Hey doc, i forget that i take my fioricet so i take an extra. I went through all 30 in like 5 days.....

You have had this happen with a patient?!

 

[lobelsteve]

You have had this happen with a patient?!

No, i am joking. But patients taking barbituates are more likely to take more.

 

[Healthinfo104]

No, i am joking. But patients taking barbituates are more likely to take more.

Oh haha, so in general barbiturates cause dose dependent amnesia?

 

[deathmerchant]

Obviously barbiturates are rarely used now a days since the introduction of safer sedatives/ anesthetics, but I know they still are used for certain things especially in neurology such as refractory seizures or wada tests.

When used, do they cause anterograde amnesia like other GABA acting sedatives/ hypnotics like benzos or propofol?

Memory is made up of registration, retention and recall. Most sedatives affect registration, hence in a way they can cause anterograde amnesia. BUT these people will be clearly sedated or drowsy atleast. Preferential amnesia in a person who is otherwise fully awake would be very unusual. I have never seen that with either benzos/propofol/barbiturates.
Is it possible in a rare person?- YES.
Can you selectively inject these medicines in the memory part of the brain and produce such effects?- may be Yes.

 

[Healthinfo104]

Memory is made up of registration, retention and recall. Most sedatives affect registration, hence in a way they can cause anterograde amnesia. BUT these people will be clearly sedated or drowsy atleast. Preferential amnesia in a person who is otherwise fully awake would be very unusual. I have never seen that with either benzos/propofol/barbiturates.
Is it possible in a rare person?- YES.
Can you selectively inject these medicines in the memory part of the brain and produce such effects?- may be Yes.

Well I guess what I am asking is, you know how an individual can be given a benzo such as versed or another hypnotic like propofol for conscious sedation where they are awake but have no or little memory of the procedure... can brbiturates be used to produce a state like that?

 

[deathmerchant]

Well I guess what I am asking is, you know how an individual can be given a benzo such as versed or another hypnotic like propofol for conscious sedation where they are awake but have no or little memory of the procedure... can brbiturates be used to produce a state like that?

Absolutely, pharmacologically speaking, Barbiturates should be able to do anything that benzos can and actually more because their effect on GABA is much stronger than Benzos. The only reasons to not use them more commonly are- a very narrow therapeutic index, severe CNS depression, tolerance and non selectivity( more side effects).
But when u say "conscious sedation where they are awake"- they are not really alert. They are atleast very drowsy/sleepy, if not fully asleep. May be just barely arousable.
Also Barbiturates stay in system much longer than common benzos and propofol.