Halothane-induced changes in neuronal activity of cells of the nucleus reticularis gigantocellularis of the cat.
The ability of 0.5% and 1.0% halothane to suppress neuronal activity of cells in the nucleus reticularis gigantocellularis (NRGC) was studied in decerebrate cats. These drug effects were examined in order to substantiate further the potential involvement of the NRGC in the modulation of transmission of pain information. Only cells of the NRGC, which were excited exclusively by electrical stimulation of A-delta fibers in the superficial radial nerve, were studied. Both concentrations of halothane caused a significant, dose-dependent reduction of spontaneous and evoked activity of all cells studied. These findings correlate well with previous reports of other anesthetics suppressing NRGC activity. In light of the selective depression by anesthetics and narcotic analgesics of spinal cord dorsal horn cells associated with noxious stimuli, these findings, when combined with anatomic, physiologic, and behavioral studies of NRGC, provide further evidence of the involvement of NRGC in the signaling of noxious stimuli and the analgesic effects of halothane exerted at this site.
D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D005260:Female; D006221:Halothane / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009619:Nociceptors / Q000187:drug effects; D012154:Reticular Formation / Q000502:physiology*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000187:drug effects
D006221:Halothane