Linked Life Data

18094320

Source:http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/id/18094320

Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
3
pubmed:dateCreated
2008-2-25
pubmed:abstractText
Volatile anesthetics are used clinically to produce analgesia, amnesia, unconsciousness, blunted autonomic responsiveness, and immobility. Previous work has shown that the volatile anesthetic isoflurane, at concentrations that produce unconsciousness (250-500 microM), enhances fast synaptic inhibition in the brain mediated by GABA(A) receptors (GABA(A)-Rs). In addition, isoflurane causes sedation at concentrations lower than those required to produce unconsciousness or analgesia. In this study, we found that isoflurane, at low concentrations (25-85 microM) associated with its sedative actions, elicits a sustained current associated with a conductance increase in thalamocortical neurons in the mouse ventrobasal (VB) nucleus. These isoflurane-evoked currents reversed polarity close to the Cl(-) equilibrium potential and were totally blocked by the GABA(A)-R antagonist gabazine. Isoflurane (25-250 microM) produced no sustained current in VB neurons from GABA(A)-R alpha(4)-subunit knockout (Gabra4(-/-)) mice, although 250 microM isoflurane enhanced synaptic inhibition in VB neurons from both wild-type and Gabra4(-/-) mice. These data indicate an obligatory requirement for alpha(4)-subunit expression in the generation of the isoflurane-activated current. In addition, isoflurane directly activated alpha(4)beta(2)delta GABA(A)-Rs expressed in human embryonic kidney 293 cells, and it was more potent at alpha(4)beta(2)delta than at alpha(1)beta(2)gamma(2) receptors (the presumptive extrasynaptic and synaptic GABA(A)-R subtypes in VB neurons). We conclude that the extrasynaptic GABA(A)-Rs of thalamocortical neurons are sensitive to low concentrations of isoflurane. In view of the crucial role of the thalamus in sensory processing, sleep, and cognition, the modulation of these extrasynaptic GABA(A)-Rs by isoflurane may contribute to the sedation and hypnosis associated with low doses of this anesthetic agent.
pubmed:grant
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Mar
pubmed:issn
1521-0103
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Electronic
pubmed:volume
324
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
1127-35
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2008
pubmed:articleTitle
Isoflurane is a potent modulator of extrasynaptic GABA(A) receptors in the thalamus.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Anesthesiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, Room A-1050, New York, NY 10065, USA.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Comparative Study, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural