Differential Role of Prefrontal and Parietal Cortices in Controlling Level of Consciousness (Current Biology)

Pal et al. show that cholinergic, but not noradrenergic, stimulation of prefrontal cortex can restore level of consciousness despite continuous anesthetic administration. Cholinergic or noradrenergic stimulation in the parietal region did not alter the behavioral state. Prefrontal cortex is a potential target for modulating level of consciousness.