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

Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis01:37

Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis

49.2K
The response to stress—be it physical or psychological, acute or chronic—involves activation of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis. The HPA axis is part of the neuroendocrine system because it involves both neuronal and hormonal communication. Its function is to regulate homeostatic systems—metabolic, cardiovascular, and immune—providing the necessary means to respond to a stressor.
49.2K
Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents01:17

Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents

981
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...
981
General Anesthesia: Overview01:24

General Anesthesia: Overview

1.1K
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...
1.1K
Sedatives and Hypnotics: Overview01:23

Sedatives and Hypnotics: Overview

2.3K
Sedatives are drugs that alleviate anxiety, while hypnotics induce sleep. Both classes of medication suppress neuronal activity, leading to a calming effect for sedatives and facilitating sleep for hypnotics.
Sedative-hypnotics are categorized into barbiturates, benzodiazepines (BZDs), and non-benzodiazepines or Z-drugs. These drugs work by suppressing central nervous system activity, and this suppression is dose-dependent. Older sedative medications, like barbiturates, follow a linear curve in...
2.3K
Cushing Syndrome II: Pathophysiology01:19

Cushing Syndrome II: Pathophysiology

24
Cortisol production is normally governed by the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, which maintains hormonal balance through tightly regulated feedback mechanisms. Disruption of this regulatory system is central to the development of Cushing syndrome, whether the excess cortisol originates from external medications or internal pathology. Persistent cortisol elevation alters metabolism, immune function, and endocrine signaling, producing the characteristic clinical features...
24
Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Barbiturates01:20

Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Barbiturates

1.5K
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...
1.5K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Four-Year Outcomes of First-Line Nivolumab Plus Ipilimumab for 6 Months Versus Continuation in Patients With Advanced NSCLC: Results of the Randomized IFCT-1701 "DICIPLE" Phase III Trial.

Journal of thoracic oncology : official publication of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer·2026
Same author

Defibrillation: prevention, safety and literacy are key.

Resuscitation plus·2025
Same author

Real-world effectiveness and tolerability of sotorasib in patients with KRAS G12C-mutated metastatic non-small cell lung cancer: The IFCT-2102 Lung KG12Ci study.

European journal of cancer (Oxford, England : 1990)·2025
Same author

Lurbinectedin in extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer: a brief report of the IFCT-2105 LURBICLIN study.

ESMO open·2024
Same author

Performances and limits of Bag-Valve-Device for pre-oxygenation and manual ventilation: A comparative bench and cadaver study.

Resuscitation·2023
Same author

Validation of the revised HOME-CoV rule to safely discharge patients with COVID-19: a multicenter prospective cohort.

Emergencias : revista de la Sociedad Espanola de Medicina de Emergencias·2023

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 2, 2026

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

13.5K

[Interaction between hypnotic agents and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocorticotropic axis during surgery].

E Besnier1, T Clavier1, H Castel2

  • 1Département d'anesthésie-réanimation chirurgicale - SAMU, CHU de Rouen, 1, rue de Germont, 76031 Rouen, France; Inserm U982, DC2N Laboratory of Neuronal and Neuroendocrine Cell Differentiation and Communication, Astrocyte and Vascular Niche, IRIB, University of Rouen, PRES Normandy, 76821 Mont-Saint-Aignan, France.

Annales Francaises D'Anesthesie Et De Reanimation
|March 18, 2014
PubMed
Summary

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis regulates stress responses. Etomidate, an anesthetic, most significantly impairs HPA axis function, suggesting limited use in patients with pre-existing HPA axis alterations.

Keywords:
Agents hypnotiquesAnaesthetic agentAxe hypothalamo-hypophyso-surrénalienHypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axisSteroidsStéroïdes

More Related Videos

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

10.9K
Method for Simultaneous fMRI/EEG Data Collection during a Focused Attention Suggestion for Differential Thermal Sensation
06:33

Method for Simultaneous fMRI/EEG Data Collection during a Focused Attention Suggestion for Differential Thermal Sensation

Published on: January 5, 2014

13.4K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 2, 2026

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

13.5K
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

10.9K
Method for Simultaneous fMRI/EEG Data Collection during a Focused Attention Suggestion for Differential Thermal Sensation
06:33

Method for Simultaneous fMRI/EEG Data Collection during a Focused Attention Suggestion for Differential Thermal Sensation

Published on: January 5, 2014

13.4K

Area of Science:

  • Neuroendocrinology
  • Immunology
  • Anesthesiology

Context:

  • The central nervous system and immune system interact to maintain homeostasis during stress.
  • The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is a key neuroendocrine system modulating inflammatory responses via glucocorticoids.
  • Anesthetic agents may interact with the HPA axis during surgical procedures.

Purpose:

  • To review the impact of anesthetic agents on the HPA axis.
  • To highlight etomidate's specific effects on HPA axis function.
  • To provide guidance on the clinical use of etomidate.

Summary:

  • Most hypnotic anesthetic agents can modulate adrenal steroid synthesis.
  • Etomidate demonstrates the most detrimental effect on HPA axis function among tested hypnotics.
  • The literature suggests etomidate's use should be restricted in patients with compromised HPA axis function.

Impact:

  • Clinical recommendations for etomidate use in anesthesia.
  • Understanding anesthetic-induced HPA axis modulation.
  • Informing anesthetic choices for patients with endocrine or immune dysregulation.