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Updated: Sep 14, 2025

Assessing Changes in Volatile General Anesthetic Sensitivity of Mice after Local or Systemic Pharmacological Intervention
Published on: October 16, 2013
Research Advancements in the Role of the Brain Dopaminergic System in General Anesthesia
Wei Luo1,2, Cheng-Dong Yuan1,2, Meng-Nan Hao1,2
1Department of Anesthesiology,The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University,Zunyi,Guizhou 563000,China.
Abstract:
General anesthesia is widely used in clinical practice,whereas the exact mechanism behind the general anesthetic-induced reversible loss of consciousness remains unclear.Recent studies have revealed a close relationship between the dopaminergic system and general anesthetic-induced loss of consciousness.This system,encompassing dopamine neurons,dopamine receptors,and related neural pathways,regulates functions such as movement,memory,arousal,and cognition.The dopaminergic neurons in the ventral periaqueductal gray and ventral tegmental area,along with D1 receptors,have been shown to facilitate emergence from anesthesia.However,the role of D2 receptors remains controversial.This review summarizes recent advancements in the role of the dopaminergic system in general anesthesia and the underlying mechanism,with the aim of clarifying the mechanism of general anesthesia and providing a theoretical basis for preventing delayed emergence from anesthesia.
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