Parvalbumin (PV) positive neurons, as one of the most important subtypes of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) inhibited interneurons, are widely distributed in various brain regions. Previous studies have found that PV positive neurons are closely related to epilepsy, schizophrenia, depression, autism, Alzheimer's disease, ataxia, and morphine dependence and withdrawal. However, recent studies have found that PV positive neurons also play an important role in sleep-wake regulation, suggesting that PV positive neurons may also play an important role in the process of consciousness loss and consciousness recovery induced by general anesthesia. This review focuses on the biological characteristics of PV positive neurons and the research progress of sleep-wake regulation in different brain regions, in order to provide new ideas for the study of mechanism of consciousness loss and consciousness recovery induced by general anesthesia.