Light-induced arousal in un-anaesthetized rats produces changes in the cortical EEG (decrease in all power bands and a shift towards the β-band) and heart rate variability (HRV) (increases in all power bands with shifts towards the sympathetic related MF band, increasing the MF/HF ratio). This work was designed to establish if, during the recovery period after propofol (PPF) or halothane (HAL) anaesthesia, the simultaneous changes in the EEG and in HRV induced by arousal, are preserved. Eight male rats were implanted chronically with cortical epidural EEG and thoracic subcutaneous ECG electrodes. All the experiments were carried out at least two weeks later. EEG and ECG signals were processed and analysed on-line as previously described [1], applying the FFT algorithm. Intravenous PPF anaesthesia was induced with 15 mg kg−1 given over 5 min, followed by a continuous infusion of 20, 40, 60 and 80 mg kg−1 hr−1 increased every 20 min. Inhalational anaesthesia by mask was induced with 5% HAL for 5 s, then maintained with 1%, 1.5% and 2%, each period lasting 10 min. Recordings were taken at the end of each period and during the first hour after ceasing anaesthesia administration. The means of three recordings for both oscillatory signals were examined for comparisons between the different anaesthesia and recovery periods compared with their preanaesthetic values. Anaesthesia level (AL) and recovery step points were assessed using clinical signs. The results were analysed using ANOVA, and a paired t-test corrected for multiple comparison with controls (for P<0.05), following the Dunnett distribution and the Newmann and Keuls method. PPF at 20 mg kg−1 hr−1 was associated with light AL, with big increases in all EEG band powers and shifts towards the α-band. HAL at 1% was also associated with a light AL and the EEG band power shifted towards the β-band. Both anaesthetics abruptly decreased the HRV power and the MF/HF ratio. PPF at 40, 60, and 80 mg kg−1 hr−1 was associated with deeper AL and progressive decreases in all the EEG band powers, whereas HAL at 1.5% and 2%, associated with a deeper AL, progressively increased the δ-band without affecting the other EEG bands. Stopping PPF and HAL anaesthesia induced a reversal of EEG parameters to light AL values before the spontaneous arousal. Then, EEG power decreased and shifted towards the β-band. Some excitatory changes persisted after the recovery of the righting reflex. On the contrary, HRV parameters were still depressed after arousal, and the MF/HF ratio returned to pre-anaesthetic values after the recovery of the righting reflex. Spontaneous EEG arousal after PPF and HAL anaesthesia preceded the recovery of the righting reflex, while HRV parameters remained depressed. PPF and HAL have different mechanisms of action and also affects differently the quantified EEG, but they share a common persisting depressor effect on the HRV in rats.