Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Classification of Skeletal Muscle Relaxants

Classification of Skeletal Muscle Relaxants

Skeletal muscle relaxants are a group of drugs that can reduce muscle stiffness and induce temporary paralysis to relieve pain. These agents can act centrally to reduce muscle tone or spasms in painful conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or spinal injuries; they are called antispasmodics or spasmolytics.
Peripherally acting skeletal muscle relaxants interfere with the neurotransmission at the neuromuscular end plate to induce paralysis during...

Directly Acting Muscle Relaxants: Dantrolene and Botulinum Toxin

Directly Acting Muscle Relaxants: Dantrolene and Botulinum Toxin

Directly acting muscle relaxants like dantrolene and botulinum toxin (BoNT) have distinct mechanisms and applications. Dantrolene, a hydantoin derivative, acts on the ryanodine receptor (RYR1) in skeletal muscle cells. RYR1 are calcium channels present at the sarcoplasmic reticulum membrane. In response to excitation, they release calcium ions from the sarcoplasmic reticulum to the cytosol. Calcium promotes actin-myosin-mediated contraction of muscles.
The binding of dantrolene to the RYR1...

Peripherally and Centrally Acting Muscle Relaxants: A Comparison

Peripherally and Centrally Acting Muscle Relaxants: A Comparison

Skeletal muscle relaxants can target the central nervous system [CNS] to reduce muscle tension or act directly at the neuromuscular junction to induce temporary paralysis. These two classes of muscle relaxants are called centrally acting muscle relaxants and peripherally acting muscle relaxants. They differ in their action, mechanism, administration route, and clinical uses.
Centrally acting muscle relaxants can be further divided into spasmolytic and antispasmodic drugs. Spasmolytic drugs,...

Nondepolarizing (Competitive) Neuromuscular Blockers: Pharmacological Actions

Nondepolarizing (Competitive) Neuromuscular Blockers: Pharmacological Actions

Nondepolarizing neuromuscular blockers prevent the membrane depolarization of muscle cells and inhibit muscle contraction. These are usually administered with anesthetics to achieve complete muscle relaxation. Upon administration, these drugs first block the small, rapidly contracting muscles of the face and hands, followed by the larger muscles of the trunk and the intercostal muscles. The diaphragm is the last muscle to be affected.
Although all competitive neuromuscular blockers are designed...

Skeletal Muscle Relaxants: Therapeutic Uses

Skeletal Muscle Relaxants: Therapeutic Uses

Skeletal muscle relaxants are used to relax muscle tone and alleviate painful muscle contractions. However, the choice of skeletal muscle relaxants depends on the duration of the surgical procedure in order to minimize potential side effects. Skeletal muscle relaxants like neuromuscular blocking agents [NMBAs] are commonly employed as adjuvants alongside general anesthetics in clinical settings. NMBAs are also used to maintain controlled ventilation during surgery of the larynx or pharynx as...

Nondepolarizing (Competitive) Neuromuscular Blockers: Mechanism of Action

Nondepolarizing (Competitive) Neuromuscular Blockers: Mechanism of Action

Nondepolarizing neuromuscular blockers induce paralysis by competitively blocking nicotinic acetylcholine receptors at the muscle end plate. Examples include pancuronium, mivacurium, vecuronium, and rocuronium. These quaternary ammonium derivatives are administered intravenously, are poorly absorbed, and are excreted via the kidneys.
Competitive antagonists prevent acetylcholine from binding to its receptor, inhibiting membrane depolarization. Without conformational changes or intrinsic...

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by

Same author

THE ELECTRICAL IMPEDANCE OF MUSCLE DURING THE ACTION OF NARCOTICS AND OTHER AGENTS.

The Journal of general physiology·2009

Same author

STABILIZATION OF SPIDER CRAB NERVE MEMBRANES BY ALKALINE EARTHS, AS MANIFESTED IN RESTING POTENTIAL MEASUREMENTS.

The Journal of general physiology·2009

Same author

Case management of the frail elderly in the community.

Clinical nurse specialist CNS·2000

Same author

Genetic and environmental influences on pupil performances.

Twin research : the official journal of the International Society for Twin Studies·1999

Same author

Alzheimer disease. Report of the Council on Scientific Affairs.

Archives of family medicine·1999

Same author

Report of the Council on Scientific Affairs. Use of restraints for patients in nursing homes. Council on Scientific Affairs, American Medical Association.

Archives of family medicine·1999

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Efficacy of Fu's Subcutaneous Needling on Sciatic Nerve Pain: Behavioral and Electrophysiological Changes in a Chronic Constriction Injury Rat Model

Efficacy of Fu's Subcutaneous Needling on Sciatic Nerve Pain: Behavioral and Electrophysiological Changes in a Chronic Constriction Injury Rat Model

Published on: June 30, 2023

ACTION OF POTASSIUM AND NARCOTICS ON RECTIFICATION IN NERVE AND MUSCLE.

¹Departments of Hygiene and Chemistry, Brooklyn College, New York, and the Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, Massachusetts.

The Journal of General Physiology

|October 30, 2009

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Electrical rectification, a change in membrane resistance with current direction, was observed in nerve and muscle tissues. This phenomenon is influenced by potassium ion concentration and certain chemicals, impacting cellular electrical properties.

More Related Videos

Electrophysiological Methods to Assess Peripheral Pain Block in an Anesthetized Rat

Electrophysiological Methods to Assess Peripheral Pain Block in an Anesthetized Rat

Published on: November 21, 2025

Recording of Inward Rectifying K+ Currents in Freshly Isolated Basilar Artery Smooth Muscle Cells by Patch Clamp Technique

Recording of Inward Rectifying K⁺ Currents in Freshly Isolated Basilar Artery Smooth Muscle Cells by Patch Clamp Technique

Published on: February 7, 2025

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Efficacy of Fu's Subcutaneous Needling on Sciatic Nerve Pain: Behavioral and Electrophysiological Changes in a Chronic Constriction Injury Rat Model

Efficacy of Fu's Subcutaneous Needling on Sciatic Nerve Pain: Behavioral and Electrophysiological Changes in a Chronic Constriction Injury Rat Model

Published on: June 30, 2023

Electrophysiological Methods to Assess Peripheral Pain Block in an Anesthetized Rat

Electrophysiological Methods to Assess Peripheral Pain Block in an Anesthetized Rat

Published on: November 21, 2025

Recording of Inward Rectifying K+ Currents in Freshly Isolated Basilar Artery Smooth Muscle Cells by Patch Clamp Technique

Recording of Inward Rectifying K⁺ Currents in Freshly Isolated Basilar Artery Smooth Muscle Cells by Patch Clamp Technique

Published on: February 7, 2025

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Cellular Electrophysiology
Biophysics

Background:

Electrical rectification, a change in resistance based on current direction, is a known electronic phenomenon.
Investigating rectification in biological systems offers insights into cellular membrane properties.

Purpose of the Study:

To demonstrate and characterize electrical rectification in biological tissues.
To explore factors influencing rectification in nerve and muscle membranes.
To propose a mechanism for biological rectification.

Main Methods:

Experiments were conducted on Rana pipiens sartorius muscle and sciatic nerve.
Single giant nerve fibers of the northern squid (Ommastrephes illecibrossus) were utilized.
The effects of varying potassium ion concentrations and chemical agents (chloroform, veratrine sulfate, isoamyl carbamate) on rectification were assessed.

Main Results:

Electrical rectification was successfully demonstrated in both muscle and nerve tissues.
Rectification reversibly decreased with increased potassium ion concentration and exposure to specific chemicals.
No significant effect on rectification was observed with calcium or barium chloride variations.
Decreased rectification correlated with a decrease in the resting potential of the membrane.

Conclusions:

Electrical rectification is likely a property of the plasma membrane.
Changes in potassium ion concentration within the membrane may explain the observed rectification.
This finding contributes to understanding the electrophysiological properties of biological membranes.