Responses of striatal neurons to anesthetics and analgesics in freely moving rats

M. W. Warenycia, G. M. McKenzie

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

1. 1. The effects of anaesthetics and analgesics on striatal neurons were examined in freely moving rats by recording extracellular action potentials of neurons in the striatum. 2. 2. Spontaneous multiple unit activity was reduced to less than 20% of control firing rates following either pentobarbital 35 mg/kg i.p., halothane 3%, chloral hydrate 400 mg/kg i.p., or urethane 1.5 g/kg i.p. 3. 3. Morphine 15 mg/kg i.p., decreased striatal neuronal firing whereas ketamine, 50 mg/kg i.p., excited striatal neurons. 4. 4. The only analgesic agent tested that did not significantly affect striatal neuronal firing was nitrous oxide (70% N2O/30% O2). 5. 5. These findings demonstrate that nitrous oxide is a suitable analgesic which can be used to alleviate stress and pain associated with immobilization procedures without appreciably altering spontaneous striatal discharge rates.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)517-522
Number of pages6
JournalVascular Pharmacology
Volume15
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1984

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

  • Pharmacology

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