Abstract
Sedative-hypnotic drugs exert potent actions within the synapse and on neuronal cell bodies in the central nervous system. Barbiturates block synaptic transmission at concentrations within their anesthetic range [12,14], whereas much larger concentrations are required to suppress axonal conduction. Both pre and postsynaptic functions are altered by low barbiturate concentrations. Postsynaptically, barbiturates depress excitatory postsynaptic potentials [2,21,22] and enhance postsynaptic inhibition [10,24]. Presynaptically, anesthetic concentrations of pentobarbital decrease neurotransmitter release from cerebral cortical slices [11] and brain prisms from different brain regions [26]. With regard to the effects of sedative-hypnotic drugs on neuronal cell bodies, barbiturates inhibit voltage-dependent calcium uptake [8] and facilitate chloride conductance [10] in neuronal cell cultures.
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© 1985 Plenum Press, New York
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Leslie, S.W., Barn, E.M., Chandler, L.J., Daniell, L.C. (1985). Sedative-Hypnotic Drugs and Synaptosomal Calcium Transport. In: Rubin, R.P., Weiss, G.B., Putney, J.W. (eds) Calcium in Biological Systems. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-2377-8_26
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-2377-8_26
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