GABAA receptor antagonism increases NMDA receptor inhibition by isoflurane at a minimum alveolar concentration

摘要

ObjectiveAt the minimum alveolar concentration (MAC), isoflurane potentiates GABAA receptor currents and inhibits NMDA receptor currents, and these actions may be important for producing anesthesia. However, isoflurane modulates GABAA receptors more potently than NMDA receptors. The objective of this study was to test whether isoflurane would function as a more potent NMDA receptor antagonist if its efficacy at GABAA receptors was decreased.