Understanding how anesthetic agents affect metabolism and functional connectivity is essential for accurately interpreting positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, as these scans rely on glucose uptake, which can be significantly influenced by these agents. While studies have shown that anesthesia affects metabolism and blood flow, they have not fully connected these findings to the implications for PET scans. This review aims to determine how agents like propofol, isoflurane, sevoflurane, and xenon affect metabolic and functional outcomes, thereby influencing PET imaging interpretation. A literature review was conducted, focusing on studies that examined the effects of these anesthetic agents on metabolism and blood flow. Data from these studies were analyzed to identify rates, trends, and variations in glucose metabolism and regional blood flow. The review found that agents such as propofol and sevoflurane significantly reduce glucose metabolism and alter regional blood flow, impacting network activity and PET imaging results. However, limitations exist due to the variability in methodologies and patient populations across the reviewed studies, which could influence the reported outcomes. These findings underscore the importance of selecting appropriate anesthetic protocols in imaging studies and suggest avenues for future research to refine anesthetic choices and enhance imaging accuracy.
