title: The synaptic basis of general anaesthesia.
abstract: The cellular and synaptic mechanisms that underpin the state of general anaesthesia are discussed. Anaesthetics act principally on synaptic processes and this provides a satisfactory basis for understanding their effects on neural networks. Although anaesthetics affect both the release of neurotransmitters and post-synaptic receptor function, the effects on post-synaptic receptors are always of importance in the modulation of synaptic transmission. Effects on action potential firing patterns also play a role in anaesthetic modulation of neuronal signalling. Many of these complex data can be explained in terms of altered ion channel function.
authors.affiliation: Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine, London, UK.
authors.forename: C D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Richards
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D018681:Anesthetics, General / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000187:drug effects; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter / Q000187:drug effects; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D013569:Synapses / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D018681:Anesthetics, General; D007473:Ion Channels; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter