Volatile General Anesthetics Produce Hyperpolarization of Aplysia Neurons by Activation of a Discrete Population of Baseline Potassium Channels

Abstract

The results demonstrate a unique ability of halothane and isoflurane to activate a specific class of potassium channels. Because potassium channels are important regulators of neuronal excitability within the mammalian central nervous system, background channels such as the S channel may be responsible in part for mediating the action of volatile anesthetics.