the external world individual neurons communicate with each other across gaps called synapses. synaptic communication or transmission works like this. neuron a emits messenger substances called neurotransmitters which bind to receptor years in neuron b. . anesthetics such as. mainly act on the neurotransmitter gaba which dampens the signals. of all reinforces this dampening effect and thus prevents the neuron from sending out a signal. the damping occurs at several locations in the central nervous system. precisely which are responsible for a patient losing consciousness is not yet clear. and most likely also depends on the anesthetic used. there are
responsible for a patient losing consciousness is not yet clear. and most likely also depends on the ennis that accused. there are anesthetics that do not act on the messenger but on the other neurotransmitters. to make it researchers are investigating these differences with a micro e.g. that measures signal transmission in the mini brains neurons. so far all anesthetic drugs have been found by trial and error doctors know that they work but not exactly how they work. however understanding the how is an important prerequisite for reducing side effects. we should really be looking at patients individual needs and attributes and choosing the substances they get accordingly we need a rational approach and not just a trial and error approach to see if it works and if it does that s good enough.