Anesthetics and the brain

Anesthesiol Clin North Am. 2002 Jun;20(2):265-92. doi: 10.1016/s0889-8537(01)00002-5.

Abstract

The action of anesthetics on the nervous system can be understood by considering their possible interactions with neuronal function. Anesthesia may be produced by a change in the balance of inhibitory synapses (notable via GABAa receptors) and excitatory synapses (notably glutamate receptors). Our knowledge of the specific mechanisms of anesthetic drugs and the structures in the CNS remains inadequate to explain the anesthetic state by one mechanism. The action of anesthetics can also be considered based on the action of the drugs on cerebral physiology, notably CMR, CBF, metabolic coupling, and autoregulation. Some specific anesthetic recommendations can be made for certain neurosurgical procedures and pathology based on the effects on physiology.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anesthetics / pharmacology*
  • Anesthetics, Inhalation / pharmacology
  • Anesthetics, Intravenous / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Blood Pressure / drug effects
  • Brain / drug effects*
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Cerebrovascular Circulation / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Intracranial Pressure / drug effects
  • Ion Channels / drug effects
  • Ion Channels / physiology
  • Monitoring, Intraoperative
  • Receptors, GABA / drug effects
  • Receptors, GABA / physiology
  • Receptors, Glutamate / drug effects
  • Receptors, Glutamate / physiology

Substances

  • Anesthetics
  • Anesthetics, Inhalation
  • Anesthetics, Intravenous
  • Ion Channels
  • Receptors, GABA
  • Receptors, Glutamate