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Related Concept Videos

Inhalational Anesthetics: Overview01:20

Inhalational Anesthetics: Overview

Inhalation anesthetics are drugs that induce general anesthesia upon inhalation. They work by increasing the sensitivity of GABAA receptors or inhibiting NMDA receptors, leading to a decrease in central nervous system activity. The depth of anesthesia can be rapidly adjusted by changing the concentration of the inhaled gas. Some common examples of inhalational anesthetics include volatile liquids like isoflurane, desflurane, sevoflurane and gases like xenon and nitrous oxide. Isoflurane, a...
Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview01:24

Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview

Intravenous anesthetics are drugs administered parenterally to induce anesthesia or sedation. Propofol is a widely used agent formulated as a 1% emulsion in soybean oil, glycerol, and egg phosphatide. It induces rapid anesthesia primarily due to its rapid distribution from the bloodstream to target tissues and is metabolized in the liver. However, it can cause significant pain on injection and hypertriglyceridemia. Fospropofol, a water-based prodrug of propofol, lacks these adverse effects.
Stages of General Anesthesia01:22

Stages of General Anesthesia

Various sedation levels offer significant advantages in facilitating procedural interventions for patients undergoing medical or invasive surgical procedures. These levels span from anxiolysis to general anesthesia, providing a spectrum of sedative effects to cater to specific patient needs. Anxiolysis reduces anxiety and is achieved through minimal sedation, enabling patients to remain awake and responsive while feeling more at ease during the procedure. This level can benefit minor...
General Anesthesia: Overview01:24

General Anesthesia: Overview

Anesthesia is a medical procedure that uses drugs for CNS suppression to enable painless surgeries and procedures. The selection of anesthetics is influenced by their pharmacokinetic properties, side effects, and patient characteristics. Various types of anesthesia include general, local, regional, spinal, and inhalational.
General anesthesia induces unconsciousness in the whole body, while the others target specific areas or sensations. It is administered to minimize adverse effects, maintain...
Local Anesthetics: Chemistry and Structure-Activity Relationship01:30

Local Anesthetics: Chemistry and Structure-Activity Relationship

Local anesthetics (LAs) are drugs that induce a temporary loss of sensation in a limited body area, preventing pain. Cocaine was the first local anesthetic discovered in the late 19th century. Cocaine is a benzoic acid ester obtained from the leaves of coca shrubs and was often used for its psychotropic effects. Cocaine was first isolated in 1860 by Albert Niemann. Sigmund Freud studied the physiological actions of cocaine. Carl Koller later introduced it into clinical practice in 1884 as a...
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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 24, 2026

Halogenated Agent Delivery in Porcine Model of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome via an Intensive Care Unit Type Device
09:36

Halogenated Agent Delivery in Porcine Model of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome via an Intensive Care Unit Type Device

Published on: September 24, 2020

Anesthetics isoflurane and desflurane differently affect mitochondrial function, learning, and memory.

Yiying Zhang1, Zhipeng Xu, Hui Wang

  • 1Geriatric Anesthesia Research Unit, Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, USA.

Annals of Neurology
|February 28, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Isoflurane anesthesia may harm Alzheimer

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Optogenetic Activation of Afferent Pathways in Brain Slices and Modulation of Responses by Volatile Anesthetics
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Halogenated Agent Delivery in Porcine Model of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome via an Intensive Care Unit Type Device
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Optogenetic Activation of Afferent Pathways in Brain Slices and Modulation of Responses by Volatile Anesthetics
08:16

Optogenetic Activation of Afferent Pathways in Brain Slices and Modulation of Responses by Volatile Anesthetics

Published on: July 23, 2020

Area of Science:

  • Anesthesiology
  • Neuroscience
  • Mitochondrial Biology

Background:

  • Alzheimer disease (AD) patients require anesthesia and surgery, with 8.5 million cases annually.
  • Isoflurane, an inhalation anesthetic, induces apoptosis via mitochondria, a pathway implicated in AD.
  • The in vivo relevance and mechanisms of isoflurane's apoptotic effects in AD remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of isoflurane versus desflurane on mitochondrial function, cytotoxicity, learning, and memory.
  • To elucidate the underlying mechanisms of isoflurane-induced cellular damage and cognitive impairment.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized flow cytometry, confocal microscopy, Western blot, and immunocytochemistry.
  • Assessed mitochondrial function, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels.
  • Employed the fear conditioning test to evaluate learning and memory in mice.

Main Results:

  • Isoflurane, not desflurane, triggered mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) opening, increased ROS, and reduced mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP.
  • Isoflurane induced caspase 3 activation and impaired learning and memory in cellular and animal models.
  • Cyclosporine A, an mPTP inhibitor, mitigated isoflurane's adverse effects, suggesting ROS mediation.

Conclusions:

  • Desflurane appears safer than isoflurane for Alzheimer disease patients undergoing anesthesia.
  • Isoflurane's detrimental effects are linked to mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis.
  • Findings provide insights into anesthetic choices for AD patients, pending clinical validation.