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

Inhalational Anesthetics: Overview01:20

Inhalational Anesthetics: Overview

494
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...
494
2° Amines to N-Nitrosamines: Reaction with NaNO201:20

2° Amines to N-Nitrosamines: Reaction with NaNO2

4.6K
Secondary amines react with nitrous acid to form N-nitrosamines, as depicted in Figure 1. Nitrous acid, a weak and unstable acid, is formed in situ from an aqueous solution of sodium nitrite and strong acids, such as hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid, in cold conditions. In the presence of an acid, the nitrous acid gets protonated. The subsequent loss of water results in the formation of the electrophile known as nitrosonium ion.
4.6K
Local Anesthetics: Adverse Effects01:12

Local Anesthetics: Adverse Effects

490
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...
490
Drug Delivery: Enteral Route01:18

Drug Delivery: Enteral Route

696
The enteral drug administration involves three primary routes: oral, sublingual, and buccal. Oral ingestion is the most prevalent, safe, economical, and convenient method for drug administration. However, it has certain drawbacks, including limited absorption due to the drug's low water solubility or poor membrane permeability, possible emesis from GI mucosa irritation, destruction of drugs by digestive enzymes or low gastric pH, and irregular absorption along with food or other drugs.
696
1° Amines to Diazonium or Aryldiazonium Salts: Diazotization with NaNO2 Overview01:26

1° Amines to Diazonium or Aryldiazonium Salts: Diazotization with NaNO2 Overview

3.5K
Nitrous acid and nitric acids are two types of acids containing nitrogen, among which nitrous acid is weaker than nitric acid. Nitrous acid with a pKa value of 3.37 ionizes in water to give a nitrite ion and the hydronium ion.
The nitrous acid is unstable. Hence, it is formed in situ from a solution of sodium nitrite and cold aqueous acids such as hydrochloric or sulfuric acid. In an acidic solution, the –OH group of nitrous acid undergoes protonation to give oxonium ion, followed by...
3.5K
CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine01:27

CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine

356
Ethanol, a clear colorless alcohol, has been consumed by humans for millennia, but its effects on the body are far from benign. At lower doses, it induces decreased inhibitions and loquaciousness, leading to its social appeal. However, it can cause severe consequences at higher doses, such as coma and respiratory depression, due to its zero-order elimination kinetics. Chronic ethanol abuse wreaks havoc on multiple organ systems, particularly the CNS and the liver. Abrupt cessation of ethanol...
356

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Teaching the next generation of physicians: Evaluating addiction medicine curriculum interventions across two U.S. Medical schools.

Journal of addictive diseases·2026
Same author

PURSUIT Protocol: Development of a Novel Approach to Managing Youth Physical and Mental Health in Schools.

Children (Basel, Switzerland)·2026
Same author

A Scoping Review and Consensus Recommendations for Emergency Medical Services Buprenorphine (EMS-Bupe) Programs.

Prehospital emergency care·2025
Same author

Medication for the Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder in Pregnancy Is Essential.

JAMA internal medicine·2024
Same author

A Novel Approach to Addiction Medicine Education for Undergraduate Medical Students.

Medical science educator·2024
Same author

Prescriptions for Buprenorphine in Michigan Following an Education Intervention.

JAMA network open·2023

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 7, 2025

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

11.1K

Missing a case of nitrous oxide toxicity.

Paul Trowbridge1, Cara Poland2

  • 1Addiction Medicine, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, 3000 Lafayette Ave SE, Suite 3200, Grand Rapids, MI 49503-4502, USA.

Therapeutic Advances in Infectious Disease
|June 20, 2022
PubMed
Summary

Nitrous oxide toxicity can cause neurological and psychiatric issues by affecting vitamin B12. Early diagnosis and cessation of use are crucial for recovery.

Keywords:
nitrous oxide toxicitysubstance toxicitysubstance use

More Related Videos

A Novel Inhalation Mask System to Deliver High Concentrations of Nitric Oxide Gas in Spontaneously Breathing Subjects
05:46

A Novel Inhalation Mask System to Deliver High Concentrations of Nitric Oxide Gas in Spontaneously Breathing Subjects

Published on: May 4, 2021

5.2K
Procedures of Laboratory Fumigation for Pest Control with Nitric Oxide Gas
08:58

Procedures of Laboratory Fumigation for Pest Control with Nitric Oxide Gas

Published on: November 24, 2017

17.3K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Sep 7, 2025

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

11.1K
A Novel Inhalation Mask System to Deliver High Concentrations of Nitric Oxide Gas in Spontaneously Breathing Subjects
05:46

A Novel Inhalation Mask System to Deliver High Concentrations of Nitric Oxide Gas in Spontaneously Breathing Subjects

Published on: May 4, 2021

5.2K
Procedures of Laboratory Fumigation for Pest Control with Nitric Oxide Gas
08:58

Procedures of Laboratory Fumigation for Pest Control with Nitric Oxide Gas

Published on: November 24, 2017

17.3K

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Toxicology
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a potent anesthetic agent with psychoactive properties.
  • Its effects stem from interactions with N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and y-aminobutyric acid (GABA) A receptors.
  • N2O can also lead to toxicity by inactivating methylcobalamin (vitamin B12).

Observation:

  • A patient presented with symptoms mimicking infectious neuromyelitis, highlighting diagnostic challenges.
  • The presentation was ultimately attributed to nitrous oxide toxicity.
  • This case underscores the potential for N2O toxicity to be misdiagnosed.

Findings:

  • Nitrous oxide toxicity can manifest with diverse neurological and psychiatric symptoms.
  • Inactivation of vitamin B12 is a key mechanism underlying N2O-induced sequelae.
  • A high index of suspicion is essential for accurate diagnosis.

Implications:

  • Recognizing the clinical spectrum of N2O toxicity is vital for timely intervention.
  • Cessation of nitrous oxide use is the primary treatment.
  • Vitamin B12 supplementation and supportive therapies aid in recovery and long-term outcomes.