title: Can the dopaminergic-related effects of general anesthetics be linked to mechanisms involved in drug abuse and addiction?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  General anesthetics (GA) are well known for the ability to induce a state of reversible loss of consciousness and unresponsiveness to painful stimuli. However, evidence from animal models and clinical studies show that GA exposure may induce behavioral changes beyond acute effects. Most research and concerns are focused on changes in cognition and memory.
  
  
  METHODS
  We will look at effects of GA on behavior that is mediated by the dopaminergic system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pharmacological resemblance of GA with drugs of abuse, and the complexity and importance of dopaminergic systems in both reward seeking and addictive illnesses make us believe that it deserves an overview about what is already known and what matters to us as healthcare workers and specifically as anesthesiologists.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A review of available evidence strongly suggests that there may be a link between the effects of GA on the brain and substance abuse, partly explained by their influence on the dopaminergic system.
authors.affiliation: Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.|ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Melo
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Tavares
authors.affiliation: Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.|ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sousa
authors.affiliation: Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.|ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Pêgo
mesh_terms: D018681:Anesthetics, General / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004298:Dopamine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015259:Dopamine Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D018681:Anesthetics, General; D015259:Dopamine Agents; D004298:Dopamine