Activation of Brain Noradrenergic Neurons during Recovery from Halothane Anesthesia
Résumé
alpha 2-Adrenoceptor agonists, known as antihypertensive agents, may be used during general anesthesia for their anesthetic sparing action and to reduce the occurrence of side effects. Previous studies have shown that the brain's noradrenergic nucleus, locus coeruleus, is an important target in mediating the hypnotic action of alpha 2 agonists. The authors studied the effects of recovery from halothane anesthesia on the electrical activity of locus coeruleus neurons to examine cellular substrates underlying the clinical effectiveness of alpha 2 agonists.