Model for action of local anaesthetics.
Sodium channels in nerve membranes are postulated to be surrounded by lipid molecules in the gel (or crystalline) phase. Addition of local anasethetics triggers a change in the surrounding lipids to the fluid, liquid crystalline phase, allowing the sodium channel to close with resulting local anaesthesia. The experimental evidence for this model is discussed.
D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002627:Chemistry, Physical; D008055:Lipids; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011506:Proteins; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism
D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D008055:Lipids; D011506:Proteins; D012964:Sodium