[The role of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the mechanisms of general anesthesia]

Abstract

Neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nnAChRs) are members of the ligand-gated ion channel superfamily, and widely expressed in the central and peripheral nervous systems with many subunits. NnAChRs have been represented novel targets for a wide variety of therapeutic agents based on their complex functions. It is known that both central and peripheral nnAChRs are sensitive to various types of general anesthetics, among those, barbiturates, ketamine, volatile and gaseous anesthetics depress nnAChRs at or below clinical concentrations. It is possible that inhibition of nnAChRs is one of factors involved in the mechanisms of general anesthesia.