title: [The GABA(A) receptor family: possibilities for the development of better anesthetics].
abstract: Clinically used anesthetics show amnestic, sedative, hypnotic and immobilizing properties. On a molecular level these drugs affect several receptors in the cell membrane of neurons. By using genetically engineered mice a linkage can now be made between actions on certain receptors and clinically desired and undesired effects. Experiments show that a certain GABA(A) receptor subtype mediates hypnosis and immobility, whereas another subtype is involved in side-effects like sedation and hypothermia. These findings form the basis for the development of new drugs, acting highly specific and with fewer side-effects.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Anaesthesiologie und Intensivmedizin, Universitätsklinikum, Tübingen. berthold.drexler@uni-tuebingen.de
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Drexler
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Grasshoff
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Rudolph
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Unertl
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Antkowiak
mesh_terms: D000777:Anesthetics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D018757:GABA Modulators / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D055879:Gene Knock-In Techniques; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D051379:Mice; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D013569:Synapses / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000777:Anesthetics; D018757:GABA Modulators; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A