Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 24, 2026

Induction of an Isoelectric Brain State to Investigate the Impact of Endogenous Synaptic Activity on Neuronal Excitability In Vivo
Published on: March 31, 2016
Effect of volatile anaesthetics on the electrical activity and the coupling coefficient of weakly electrically
1Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Birzeit, Israel.
Abstract:
1. The application of the volatile anaesthetics, halothane and isoflurane (1% v/v and 2% v/v), to the CNS of Lymnaea reduced the firing frequency of the small weakly coupled pedal A cluster (PeA) neurones, which eventually become quiescent. There was no change in their resting membrane potential. 2. Met-enkephalin significantly increased the coupling coefficient between PeA neurones. 3. The volatile anaesthetics decreased the coupling coefficient even in the presence of met-enkephalin. 4. These effects were dose dependent and the effects of halothane were more rapid than those of isoflurane, reflecting their different anaesthetic potencies.
Related Concept Videos
Local Anesthetics: Chemistry and Structure-Activity Relationship
Local Anesthetics: Mechanism of Action
Local anesthetics are amphiphilic molecules consisting of a hydrophobic aromatic part linked to a hydrophilic group by an ester or amide linkage. They are weak bases and are usually available as salts, which increases their solubility and stability. Once administered, LAs exist in the body either...
Local Anesthetics: Differential Sensitivity of Nerve Fibers
Local Anesthetics: Adverse Effects
Once absorbed into the systemic circulation, local anesthetics can affect the organs that depend on the functioning of sodium...
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Spinal Anesthesia
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Epidural Anesthesia
Since epidural anesthetics can be infused through an epidural catheter, all types of drugs, including short-acting ones, can be administered. Chloroprocaine and lidocaine are examples of short and long-duration anesthetics, respectively. Bupivacaine...

