Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Depressants01:28

Depressants

Depressant drugs, including alcohol and sedative-hypnotics, diminish central nervous system activity by enhancing the action of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that reduces brain activity and promotes relaxation. These substances can have various therapeutic uses but also pose significant risks, especially when misused or combined.
Alcohol is a common depressant that can induce a sense of relaxation and reduced inhibition at low doses. Contrary to its occasional...
Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents01:17

Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents

Sedatives and hypnotics encompass a wide range of substances, each with its unique mechanism of action, uses, and potential adverse effects.
Melatonin congeners like ramelteon (Rozerem) and tasimelteon (Hetlioz) selectively bind to melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2) and thus mimic the actions of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Tasimelteon is primarily used for non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder, common in blind patients. They are also used to treat conditions like insomnia...
Toxidromes: Clinical Features01:30

Toxidromes: Clinical Features

Toxidromes are specific patterns of symptoms resulting from toxic substance exposure. They help in the identification and treatment of poisoning. The symptoms of each toxidrome group indicate poisoning by a certain class of chemicals or drugs.1. Sympathomimetic: Stimulates the sympathetic nervous system. Symptoms include agitation, increased heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), respiratory rate (RR), temperature, and pupil size. Drugs like cocaine and amphetamines, along with tremors and...
Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Barbiturates01:20

Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Barbiturates

Sedatives and hypnotics encompass a drug class that acts on the central nervous system (CNS) to alleviate anxiety, promote relaxation and induce sleep.These drugs function by amplifying the actions of the neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), resulting in reduced neuronal activity. Barbiturates, a subset of sedatives and hypnotics first synthesized in the late 1800s, are categorized into ultra-short, short, intermediate, and long-acting groups based on their duration of effect. A key...
CNS Depressants: Barbiturates and Benzodiazepines01:14

CNS Depressants: Barbiturates and Benzodiazepines

CNS depressants include drugs from the category of barbiturates and benzodiazepines. They are valuable medications for managing anxiety disorders and insomnia. Barbiturates, once used to induce and maintain sleep, have been replaced mainly by benzodiazepines due to barbiturate's toxicity, tolerance, and overdose risks. They interact with GABAA receptors, leading to sedation at low doses and potentially coma and death at higher doses. Phenobarbital, a long-acting barbiturate, possesses...
CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine01:27

CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine

Ethanol, a clear colorless alcohol, has been consumed by humans for millennia, but its effects on the body are far from benign. At lower doses, it induces decreased inhibitions and loquaciousness, leading to its social appeal. However, it can cause severe consequences at higher doses, such as coma and respiratory depression, due to its zero-order elimination kinetics. Chronic ethanol abuse wreaks havoc on multiple organ systems, particularly the CNS and the liver. Abrupt cessation of ethanol...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Effects of repeated low-dose LSD on neuropsychological functioning in adults with ADHD: a randomized placebo-controlled study.

Psychopharmacology·2026
Same author

Different flames, different fates : A comparative study of surgical interventions and critical care burden in electrical vs. thermal burn injuries.

Wiener klinische Wochenschrift·2026
Same author

[Bacteria species and antibiotic resistance in bovine mastitis within the framework of the «ReLait» project].

Schweizer Archiv fur Tierheilkunde·2025
Same author

District-wide herd sanitation and eradication of intramammary Staphylococcus aureus genotype B infection in dairy herds in Ticino, Switzerland.

Journal of dairy science·2024
Same author

[Intramammary use of antibiotics in dairy farms in the canton of Ticino before, during and after Staphylococcus aureus genotype B elimination].

Schweizer Archiv fur Tierheilkunde·2022
Same author

[Survey among livestock veterinarians from the Canton of Fribourg investigating the topics of herd-health management, counselling and the use of antimicrobial drugs].

Schweizer Archiv fur Tierheilkunde·2020
Same journal

Praxis·2026
Same journal

[What do Swiss doctors think about cardiovascular risk factors and guidelines?]

Praxis·2026
Same journal

[Laser interstitial thermotherapy (LITT): a minimally invasive neurosurgical treatment option for brain tumours and radiation necrosis].

Praxis·2026
Same journal

[Persistent back pain after lifting trauma. From the trivial to the rare case].

Praxis·2026
Same journal

[A patient with dizziness and gait instability - a diagnostic challenge].

Praxis·2026
Same journal

[Meningoencephalitis caused by listeria monocytogenes].

Praxis·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 2, 2026

Recording Brain Electromagnetic Activity During the Administration of the Gaseous Anesthetic Agents Xenon and Nitrous Oxide in Healthy Volunteers
14:52

Recording Brain Electromagnetic Activity During the Administration of the Gaseous Anesthetic Agents Xenon and Nitrous Oxide in Healthy Volunteers

Published on: January 13, 2018

[Intoxication with an unknown sedative substance].

M Bodmer1, A Christ, M E Liechti

  • 1Abteilung für klinische Pharmakologie und Toxikologie, Universitätsspital Basel, Basel. bodmerm@uhbs.ch

Praxis
|August 30, 2008
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

A comatose patient presented with a sedative toxidrome, leading to the identification of phenobarbital intoxication. This case highlights the importance of recognizing and managing phenobarbital overdose effectively.

More Related Videos

Assessing Changes in Volatile General Anesthetic Sensitivity of Mice after Local or Systemic Pharmacological Intervention
08:49

Assessing Changes in Volatile General Anesthetic Sensitivity of Mice after Local or Systemic Pharmacological Intervention

Published on: October 16, 2013

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 2, 2026

Recording Brain Electromagnetic Activity During the Administration of the Gaseous Anesthetic Agents Xenon and Nitrous Oxide in Healthy Volunteers
14:52

Recording Brain Electromagnetic Activity During the Administration of the Gaseous Anesthetic Agents Xenon and Nitrous Oxide in Healthy Volunteers

Published on: January 13, 2018

Assessing Changes in Volatile General Anesthetic Sensitivity of Mice after Local or Systemic Pharmacological Intervention
08:49

Assessing Changes in Volatile General Anesthetic Sensitivity of Mice after Local or Systemic Pharmacological Intervention

Published on: October 16, 2013

Area of Science:

  • Clinical Toxicology
  • Emergency Medicine
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Sedative toxidrome presentation in emergency departments requires prompt diagnosis.
  • Phenobarbital intoxication can lead to severe central nervous system depression.
  • Differential diagnosis is crucial for identifying the causative agent.

Observation:

  • A 64-year-old patient presented to the emergency department in a comatose state.
  • Clinical assessment suggested a "sedative toxidrome."
  • Blood tests confirmed the presence of phenobarbital.

Findings:

  • The patient's condition was attributed to phenobarbital intoxication.
  • Diagnostic exclusion of other potential causes was performed.
  • Phenobarbital was identified as the specific sedative substance.

Implications:

  • Effective decontamination and therapeutic strategies for phenobarbital overdose are essential.
  • This case underscores the need for awareness of sedative poisonings in emergency settings.
  • Management protocols for phenobarbital intoxication should be readily available.