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Related Concept Videos

Local Anesthetics: Pharmacokinetics01:13

Local Anesthetics: Pharmacokinetics

1.3K
The potency and duration of action of local anesthetics (LAs) are determined by their pharmacokinetics. Pharmacokinetics describes how LAs are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and eliminated from the body. When administered to the vascular tissues, LAs are quickly absorbed and enter the systemic circulation, reducing their localized effects. Adding vasoconstrictors such as epinephrine to LAs reduces their absorption into the systemic circulation, making them clinically effective. The...
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Inhalational Anesthetics: Overview01:20

Inhalational Anesthetics: Overview

1.2K
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...
1.2K
Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview01:24

Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview

780
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.
780
Local Anesthetics: Mechanism of Action01:23

Local Anesthetics: Mechanism of Action

3.4K
Local anesthetics (LAs) block sensory and motor impulses by inhibiting the sodium channels on the nerve cell membranes. This induces temporary loss of sensation, relieving pain in a specific body area.
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...
3.4K
Local Anesthetics: Adverse Effects01:12

Local Anesthetics: Adverse Effects

822
While local anesthetics are generally safe and well-tolerated, they can occasionally cause adverse effects that vary in severity. Local anesthetics can induce toxicity at two distinct levels. They can either produce local effects through direct contact with the neural elements or be absorbed into the bloodstream from the injection site, leading to systemic effects.
Once absorbed into the systemic circulation, local anesthetics can affect the organs that depend on the functioning of sodium...
822
Local Anesthetics: Common Agents and Their Applications01:23

Local Anesthetics: Common Agents and Their Applications

992
Local anesthetics (LAs) are commonly used for various applications in medical and dental procedures. Some of the common agents used are cocaine, lidocaine, and bupivacaine.
Cocaine is an ester of benzoic acid and methylecgogine. It is used to anesthetize and vasoconstrict locally. Currently, it is used primarily for topical applications. It is beneficial for surgeries on the upper respiratory tract, providing anesthesia and shrinking the mucosa. Cocaine in the form of cocaine hydrochloride is...
992

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 15, 2026

Use of a Piglet Model for the Study of Anesthetic-induced Developmental Neurotoxicity AIDN: A Translational Neuroscience Approach
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Use of a Piglet Model for the Study of Anesthetic-induced Developmental Neurotoxicity AIDN: A Translational Neuroscience Approach

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SmartTots Update Regarding Anesthetic Neurotoxicity in the Developing Brain.

Beverley A Orser1,2,3, Santhanam Suresh4, Alex S Evers5

  • 1From the Department of Anesthesia, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Anesthesia and Analgesia
|February 6, 2018
PubMed
Summary

Anesthetic drugs may not cause lasting cognitive deficits after brief exposure in children. Further research is crucial to confirm safety and guide pediatric anesthesia practices.

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Adaptation of Microelectrode Array Technology for the Study of Anesthesia-induced Neurotoxicity in the Intact Piglet Brain
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A Neuronal and Astrocyte Co-Culture Assay for High Content Analysis of Neurotoxicity
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Last Updated: Feb 15, 2026

Use of a Piglet Model for the Study of Anesthetic-induced Developmental Neurotoxicity AIDN: A Translational Neuroscience Approach
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Use of a Piglet Model for the Study of Anesthetic-induced Developmental Neurotoxicity AIDN: A Translational Neuroscience Approach

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Adaptation of Microelectrode Array Technology for the Study of Anesthesia-induced Neurotoxicity in the Intact Piglet Brain
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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Anesthesiology
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • The SmartTots initiative is a 7-year collaboration between the International Anesthesia Research Society and the US Food and Drug Administration.
  • Concerns exist regarding potential detrimental effects of anesthetic drugs on the developing brain.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the neurotoxicity of anesthetic drugs in the immature brain.
  • To provide an update on SmartTots' research activities and findings.

Main Methods:

  • Funded and synthesized findings from clinical and preclinical studies.
  • Organized scientific meetings and facilitated consensus statements.
  • Served as a repository for peer-reviewed information on anesthetic neurotoxicity.

Main Results:

  • Clinical studies suggest brief anesthetic exposure does not lead to overt, persistent cognitive deficits.
  • New recommendations enhance the reproducibility and clinical relevance of animal study data.

Conclusions:

  • While current evidence offers some reassurance, definitive conclusions on anesthetic neurotoxicity in immature brains are pending.
  • SmartTots' findings may alleviate concerns or significantly alter pediatric anesthesia practices and neuroprotection research.