Journal of neurosurgical anesthesiology
-
J Neurosurg Anesthesiol · Oct 2012
Anesthetics interfere with the polarization of developing cortical neurons.
Numerous studies from the clinical and preclinical literature indicate that general anesthetic agents have toxic effects on the developing brain, but the mechanism of this toxicity is still unknown. Previous studies have focused on the effects of anesthetics on cell survival, dendrite elaboration, and synapse formation, but little attention has been paid to possible effects of anesthetics on the developing axon. Using dissociated mouse cortical neurons in culture, we found that isoflurane delays the acquisition of neuronal polarity by interfering with axon specification. ⋯ Rather, the delay in axon specification likely results from a slowing of the extension of prepolarized neurites. The effect is not unique to isoflurane as propofol also seems to interfere with the acquisition of neuronal polarity. These findings demonstrate that anesthetics may interfere with brain development through effects on axon growth and specification, thus introducing a new potential target in the search for mechanisms of pediatric anesthetic neurotoxicity.
-
J Neurosurg Anesthesiol · Oct 2012
Historical ArticleThe history of neuroanesthesiology: the people, pursuits, and practices.
Neuroanesthesiology has a rich history. Although advances in research and clinical practice were cornerstones for the development of this field, other equally critical factors came into play. ⋯ This article reviews important advances within the subspecialty and many individuals behind those advances. The analysis and speculative synthesis provide insights into the current status of neuroanesthesiology and possible directions for the subspecialty's future.
-
J Neurosurg Anesthesiol · Oct 2012
Sevoflurane and isoflurane preconditioning provides neuroprotection by inhibition of apoptosis-related mRNA expression in a rat model of focal cerebral ischemia.
This study aimed to examine the effects of sevoflurane or isoflurane preconditioning on cerebral ischemia/reperfusion-induced inflammation, oxidative stress, and lipid peroxidation and test the hypothesis that the underlining mechanism of the protective effect of preconditioning involves changes in the apoptotic gene expression profiles in an experimental model of middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats. ⋯ Sevoflurane and isoflurane preconditioning ameliorates inflammation, cerebral lipid peroxidation, and histologic injury. Downregulation of proapoptotic molecules and upregulation of antiapoptotic molecules may be associated with this effect.