About 60% of the glucose and oxygen used by the brain is meant for its electrical activity and the rest for all other activities such as metabolism.[6] When barbiturates are given to brain injured patients for induced coma, they act by reducing the electrical activity of the brain, which reduces the metabolic and oxygen demand.[7] The infusion dose rate of barbiturates is increased under monitoring by electroencephalography until burst suppression or cortical electrical silence (isoelectric "flatline") is attained.[8] Once there is improvement in the patient's general condition, the barbiturates are withdrawn gradually and the patient regains consciousness.