Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2026

Assessing Changes in Volatile General Anesthetic Sensitivity of Mice after Local or Systemic Pharmacological Intervention
Published on: October 16, 2013
Actions of general anaesthetics on synaptic transmission in the CNS
Abstract:
This article reviews the actions of general anaesthetics on synapses in the mammalian central nervous system. It is shown that during general anaesthesia, anaesthetics act primarily on the chemical transmission process itself and do not affect the conduction of impulses in nerve axons or change the electrical excitability of neurones. Virtually all general anaesthetics depress excitatory synaptic transmission at concentrations required for surgical anaesthesia but some, notably the barbiturates, also increase the intensity of inhibitory synaptic transmission. Detailed analysis has found that small concentrations of barbiturates increase the amount of inhibitory transmitter released but decrease the amount of excitatory transmitter released. In addition to these effects on the neurosecretory process, anaesthetics directly affect the sensitivity of the postsynaptic receptors to transmitter substances, although the effects vary between anaesthetics and receptors. It is concluded that general anaesthesia results from a summation of a number of effects which together tend to depress the excitability of the CNS as a whole.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Neurochemical Transmission: Sites of Drug Action
Indirect-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Pharmacological Actions
At the neuromuscular junction, these agents work by inhibiting the breakdown of acetylcholine, allowing it to remain bound to the receptor and bind to nearby receptors. This process leads to repetitive firing of the endplate, causing muscle...
Local Anesthetics: Chemistry and Structure-Activity Relationship
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...
Local Anesthetics: Adverse Effects
Once absorbed into the systemic circulation, local anesthetics can affect the organs that depend on the functioning of sodium...
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...

