Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 9, 2026

Assessing Changes in Volatile General Anesthetic Sensitivity of Mice after Local or Systemic Pharmacological Intervention
Published on: October 16, 2013
Cerebrovascular and cerebral metabolic effects of commonly used anaesthetics
1Department of Anaesthesia and Surgical Intensive Care, Singapore General Hospital.
Abstract:
It is important to know the effects of anaesthetics on cerebral blood flow and cerebral metabolism to enable appropriate selection of agents for the brain injured patient. Thiopental possesses favourable cerebrovascular and metabolic properties but has not been shown to improve outcome in head injured patients. Propofol has properties similar to thiopental. Its rapid metabolism as well as its ability to reduce intracranial pressure and its antiemetic properties render it a very favourable drug. Despite controversies surrounding the effects of short-acting narcotics on intracranial pressure, they continue to be used because they provide stable haemodynamic conditions when used with care. Isoflurane is currently advocated as the best inhalational agent for neuroanaesthesia because of its lesser effects on cerebral blood flow and intracranial pressure. The effects of nitrous oxide on cerebral blood flow and intracranial pressure appear to vary according to the background anaesthetic used. Nitrous oxide is still widely used in most neuroanaesthetic practices, as its effects can be blunted by barbiturates, narcotics and/or hypocapnia. There is no convincing human study on the cerebral protective properties of anaesthetic agents although mild hypothermia has been shown experimentally to offer significant protection against global and focal ischaemia.
More Related Videos
14:52Recording Brain Electromagnetic Activity During the Administration of the Gaseous Anesthetic Agents Xenon and Nitrous Oxide in Healthy Volunteers
Published on: January 13, 2018
08:16Optogenetic Activation of Afferent Pathways in Brain Slices and Modulation of Responses by Volatile Anesthetics
Published on: July 23, 2020
Related Concept Videos
Local Anesthetics: Pharmacokinetics
Local Anesthetics: Common Agents and Their Applications
Cocaine is an ester of benzoic acid and methylecgogine. It is used to anesthetize and vasoconstrict locally. Currently, it is used primarily for topical applications. It is beneficial for surgeries on the upper respiratory tract, providing anesthesia and shrinking the mucosa. Cocaine in the form of cocaine hydrochloride is...
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...
Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview
Inhalational Anesthetics: Overview