Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid-Mediated Neurotransmission Inhibition in the Pontine Reticular Formation: A Potential Mechanism of Propofol Anesthesia
Journal Title: Science Insights - Year 2015, Vol 13, Issue 2
Abstract
Study for underlying anesthetic mechanisms is the key point of general anesthesia. Propofol is a representative of general anesthetics. Many general anesthetics are thought to produce a loss of wakefulness, in part, by enhancing Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmission. However, GABAergic neurotransmission in the pontine reticular formation promotes wakefulness. We hypothesized that propofol inhibited GABA current and promoted long-term potentiation (LTP) of pontine tissue,which might be the underlying mechanism of propofol anesthesia. In our pre-study investigation, propofol enhanced GABA current in the thalamic neuron and showed as a characteristic of burst discharge, but burst inhibition was observed in the pontine neuron. Hence, the hypothesis of the GABAergic neurotransmission inhibition in the pontine reticular formation might be the mechanistic base of propofol anesthesia, and given an experimental basis of the theory of central nervous inhibition in general anesthesia.
Authors and Affiliations
Fred Wang
Keywords
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- EP ID EP689587
- DOI 10.15354/si.15.hp008
- Views 171
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