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

Sedatives and Hypnotics: Overview01:23

Sedatives and Hypnotics: Overview

341
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...
341
Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents01:17

Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents

168
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...
168
Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Benzodiazepines01:19

Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Benzodiazepines

236
Benzodiazepines have both sedative and hypnotic properties. They include compounds such as diazepam (Valium) and alprazolam (Xanax). Structurally, their cores are similar, consisting of the fusion of a benzene ring and a diazepine ring, but they share a common mechanism of action in the central nervous system (CNS).
Benzodiazepines work by enhancing the effects of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA. They bind to the GABAA receptor, increasing its affinity for GABA, which opens chloride...
236
Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Barbiturates01:20

Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Barbiturates

248
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...
248
CNS Depressants: Barbiturates and Benzodiazepines01:14

CNS Depressants: Barbiturates and Benzodiazepines

250
CNS depressants include drugs from the category of barbiturates and benzodiazepines. They are valuable medications for managing anxiety disorders and insomnia. Barbiturates, once used to induce and maintain sleep, have been replaced mainly by benzodiazepines due to barbiturate's toxicity, tolerance, and overdose risks. They interact with GABAA receptors, leading to sedation at low doses and potentially coma and death at higher doses. Phenobarbital, a long-acting barbiturate, possesses...
250
Management of Insomnia01:19

Management of Insomnia

244
The sleep cycle, an integral part of human health, consists of several stages with distinct characteristics and functions. It begins with a transition from wakefulness to sleep, known as the light sleep phase, followed by the restorative deep sleep phase, essential for physical recovery and growth. The cycle concludes with the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) phase, characterized by high brain activity and vivid dreaming. Insomnia, a prevalent sleep disorder, involves difficulty falling asleep, staying...
244

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Audit of procedural sedation complications using a novel digital application.

British journal of anaesthesia·2026
Same author

Cutting Corners: Is Mixing Remifentanil and Propofol a Bad Idea?

Anesthesia and analgesia·2025
Same author

The state of local anaesthetic systemic toxicity in 2025: the emergence of lidocaine as our next challenge.

British journal of anaesthesia·2025
Same author

Sevoflurane sedation: blind alley or cunning plan?

British journal of anaesthesia·2025
Same author

Etomidate and its derivatives: time to say goodbye?

British journal of anaesthesia·2025
Same author

Get remimazolam off the bench and into the game.

Anaesthesia·2024
Same journal

The evolution of nonoperating room anesthesia: navigating a new frontier.

Current opinion in anaesthesiology·2026
Same journal

Enhanced recovery pathways for patients with chronic pain: beyond standard protocols - a narrative review.

Current opinion in anaesthesiology·2026
Same journal

Novel technologies and innovations in postoperative follow-up after regional anesthesia.

Current opinion in anaesthesiology·2026
Same journal

Regional anaesthesia and analgesia in surgical patients with chronic preoperative pain: mechanisms, evidence, and clinical implications.

Current opinion in anaesthesiology·2026
Same journal

Retention in pain care and research: a narrative review focused on implanted medical devices.

Current opinion in anaesthesiology·2026
Same journal

Airway ultrasound in patients undergoing head and neck surgery.

Current opinion in anaesthesiology·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 24, 2025

Author Spotlight: Overcoming Challenges in Drosophila Sleep Measurement Using DAM System
05:59

Author Spotlight: Overcoming Challenges in Drosophila Sleep Measurement Using DAM System

Published on: October 20, 2023

2.4K

Why sedative hypnotics often fail in development.

J Robert Sneyd1

  • 1Faculty of Health: Medicine, Dentistry and Human Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK.

Current Opinion in Anaesthesiology
|June 6, 2024
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Drug development for anesthesia and sedation is slow, with few innovations beyond reformulating existing drugs. New approaches are needed to improve patient outcomes and justify development costs in this competitive market.

More Related Videos

Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy DISE with Target Controlled Infusion TCI and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea
07:54

Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy DISE with Target Controlled Infusion TCI and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Published on: December 6, 2016

19.8K
Polygraphic Recording Procedure for Measuring Sleep in Mice
08:45

Polygraphic Recording Procedure for Measuring Sleep in Mice

Published on: January 25, 2016

23.7K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 24, 2025

Author Spotlight: Overcoming Challenges in Drosophila Sleep Measurement Using DAM System
05:59

Author Spotlight: Overcoming Challenges in Drosophila Sleep Measurement Using DAM System

Published on: October 20, 2023

2.4K
Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy DISE with Target Controlled Infusion TCI and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea
07:54

Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy DISE with Target Controlled Infusion TCI and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Published on: December 6, 2016

19.8K
Polygraphic Recording Procedure for Measuring Sleep in Mice
08:45

Polygraphic Recording Procedure for Measuring Sleep in Mice

Published on: January 25, 2016

23.7K

Area of Science:

  • Anesthesiology
  • Pharmacology
  • Drug Development

Background:

  • Drug development for anesthesia and sedation has seen limited innovation.
  • Existing markets are dominated by low-cost generic options.
  • New compounds have not demonstrated significant improvements in patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current state of drug development in anesthesia and sedation.
  • To identify challenges and opportunities for innovation in this field.
  • To explore potential strategies for advancing drug development.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent preclinical and clinical studies.
  • Market analysis of existing anesthesia and sedation agents.
  • Discussion of scientific and professional challenges.

Main Results:

  • Few novel drug candidates have emerged from preclinical research.
  • Reformulation of existing compounds is the primary innovation strategy.
  • Current development compounds lack distinctive features to justify costs.

Conclusions:

  • Meaningful progress requires advances in basic science, not just reformulation.
  • Bolder initiatives beyond modifying propofol are necessary.
  • Expanding development to include non-anesthesiologist providers could drive cost-effective care changes.