Berthold Drexler

TL;DR: It is demonstrated that a single molecular target, and indeed a specific residue (N265) located within the GABAA receptor β3 subunit, is a major determinant of behavioral responses evoked by the intravenous anesthetics etomidate and propofol, whereas volatile anesthetic appear to act via a broader spectrum of molecular targets.

TL;DR: Insight into the clinically desired and undesired actions of anaesthetic agents provide new avenues for the design of drugs with an improved side-effect profile, especially for the treatment of newborn children, elderly patients and patients undergoing ambulatory surgery.

TL;DR: Studies suggesting that inhibitory ligand-gated ion channels are potential targets for general anesthetics in vitro and how the involvement of y-aminobutyric acid (GABA)(A) receptor subtypes in anesthetic actions could be demonstrated by genetic studies in vivo are described.

TL;DR: These findings support the concept of at least 2 different binding sites for benzodiazepines on &ggr;-aminobutyric acid type A receptors, and are consistent with the hypothesis that the classical high-affinity binding site mediates low-dose diazepam actions, while a second, nonclassical and independent site contributes to the anesthetic effects of diazepAm, such as hypnosis and immobility.

TL;DR: Etomidate and propofol alter the firing patterns and GABA(A) receptor-mediated inhibition of neocortical neurons in different ways, which suggests that etomidate and Propofol act via non-uniform molecular targets.