ABC's AM radio show has recently reported on a fascinating new development in our understanding on how anaesthesia affects the human brain.

Researchers in Manchester in the UK have constructed a movie of the brain changing as an anaesthetic takes effect.

Check out this great TEDtalk given by Pediatric Anaesthetist Elliot Krane.

We think of pain as a symptom, but there are cases where the nervous system develops feedback loops and pain becomes a terrifying disease in itself. Starting with the story of a girl whose sprained wrist turned into a nightmare, Elliot Krane talks about the complex mystery of chronic pain, and reviews the facts we're just learning about how it works and how to treat it.

Have you noticed a disproportionate increase in your AHPRA, ANZCA and ASA fees recently?

We have received a query from a member who would like to open up discussion on the value of these 3 memberships and whether or not he is getting his money's worth.

Read on and let us know your thoughts.

The ASA want YOU to contribute to our social media sites. Whether it’s writing a blog article, posting a question on our Facebook wall or just connecting on Twitter, we want as many people to get involved as possible.

Dear Emergency Registrar,

Thanks a million for misdiagnosing my patient’s perforated bowel as

constipation and treating aggressively with laxatives. I’m sure she

appreciated the subsequent cardiac arrest and multiorgan failure. Don’t

worry, she just needs a new set of kidneys and a liver and she’ll be right.

And with that kind of performance, I’m sure you can help her acquire them.

Kind regards,

Lowly intern

Here at the ASA we are all about serving Australia’s anaesthetists, whether it be through providing the latest professional advice, great discounts to ASA events or just getting back to your phone calls quickly. We offer a lot of services, and we’ve got a lot to tell you, so to make it easier to reach our members we’ve decided to embrace the world of social media.