Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 31, 2025

Assessing Changes in Volatile General Anesthetic Sensitivity of Mice after Local or Systemic Pharmacological Intervention
Published on: October 16, 2013
The General Anesthetic Isoflurane Bilaterally Modulates Neuronal Excitability
Mengchan Ou1, Wenling Zhao1, Jin Liu1
1Laboratory of Anesthesia & Critical Care Medicine, Translational Neuroscience Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, P.R. China; Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, P.R. China.
Abstract:
Volatile anesthetics induce hyperactivity during induction while producing anesthesia at higher concentrations. They also bidirectionally modulate many neuronal functions. However, the neuronal mechanism is unclear. The effects of isoflurane on sodium channel currents were analyzed in acute mouse brain slices, including sodium leak (NALCN) currents and voltage-gated sodium channels (Nav) currents. Isoflurane at sub-anesthetic concentrations increased the spontaneous firing rate of CA3 pyramidal neurons, whereas anesthetic concentrations of isoflurane decreased the firing rate. Isoflurane at sub-anesthetic concentrations enhanced NALCN conductance but minimally inhibited Nav currents. Isoflurane at anesthetic concentrations depressed Nav currents and action potential amplitudes. Isoflurane at sub-anesthetic concentrations depolarized resting membrane potential (RMP) of neurons, whereas hyperpolarized the RMP at anesthetic concentrations. Isoflurane at low concentrations induced hyperactivity in vivo, which was diminished in NALCN knockdown mice. In conclusion, enhancement of NALCN by isoflurane contributes to its bidirectional modulation of neuronal excitability and the hyperactivity during induction.
More Related Videos
08:16Optogenetic Activation of Afferent Pathways in Brain Slices and Modulation of Responses by Volatile Anesthetics
Published on: July 23, 2020
10:19Induction of an Isoelectric Brain State to Investigate the Impact of Endogenous Synaptic Activity on Neuronal Excitability In Vivo
Published on: March 31, 2016
Related Concept Videos
General Anesthesia: Overview
General anesthesia induces unconsciousness in the whole body, while the others target specific areas or sensations. It is administered to minimize adverse effects, maintain...
Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview
Inhalational Anesthetics: Overview
Stages of General Anesthesia
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Spinal Anesthesia
Local Anesthetics: Mechanism of Action
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...