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Molecular mechanisms of action of general anesthetics

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Summary

While a plethora of information exists describing particular changes caused by anesthetics on the molecular architecture of membranes, it is clear that models for anesthetic action remain unproven by rigid scientific criteria. This article describes historical and contemporary theories of how anesthetics act on a molecular level, and examines the discrepancies between these hypotheses and current data.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anaesthesia, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 02114, Boston, MA, USA

    Barbara A. Dodson

  2. Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, 02114, Boston, MA, USA

    Jonathan Moss

Authors
  1. Barbara A. Dodson
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  2. Jonathan Moss
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Dodson, B.A., Moss, J. Molecular mechanisms of action of general anesthetics. Mol Cell Biochem 64, 97–103 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00224766

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00224766

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