Hidden thoughts under anesthesia: brain scans reveal possible awareness during sedation

NCT ID NCT07705022

ENROLLING_BY_INVITATION Knowledge-focused Sponsor: University of Michigan Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jul 15, 2026 · Last updated Aug 12, 2026 · Updated 3 times

Summary

This study investigates whether mental activity—called covert consciousness—can occur during sedation with dexmedetomidine or ketamine. Healthy volunteers will undergo fMRI scans while performing mental imagery tasks (like imagining playing tennis) at different sedation depths. The goal is to understand how the brain functions when a person appears unresponsive.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: dexmedetomidine (with propofol if needed) or ketamine
What this could lead to: If successful, this could reveal that some mental functions persist during anesthesia, potentially improving how sedation is monitored and managed.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-phase study in healthy volunteers, so results may not apply to patients or real-world surgery. The mental imagery tasks may not fully capture consciousness.

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As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

COVERT CONSCIOUSNESS HEALTHY

Contacts and locations

Locations

University of Michigan

Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109, United States

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