Modulation of thalamic neuronal activity might be a crucial component of anesthetic-induced unconsciousness. In this thesis, the effect of the volatile anesthetic sevoflurane (sevo) on thalamocortical (TC) relay neurons in the ventrobasal complex was examined in acute murine brain slices using the patch-clamp technique. Sevo induced a dose-dependent impairment of HCN-channel function resulting in reduced excitability of TC-neurons. Furthermore, sevo increased phasic as well as tonic GABAA-receptor mediated inhibition. Changes of tonic inhibition appear to be mediated primarily by GABAA-receptors containing the alpha4-subunit.
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Modulation of thalamic neuronal activity might be a crucial component of anesthetic-induced unconsciousness. In this thesis, the effect of the volatile anesthetic sevoflurane (sevo) on thalamocortical (TC) relay neurons in the ventrobasal complex was examined in acute murine brain slices using the patch-clamp technique. Sevo induced a dose-dependent impairment of HCN-channel function resulting in reduced excitability of TC-neurons. Furthermore, sevo increased phasic as well as tonic GABAA-recept...
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