Neurons in the Ventral Spinal Cord Are More Depressed by Isoflurane, Halothane, and Propofol Than Are Neurons in the Dorsal Spinal Cord

Abstract

These data suggest that, in the peri-MAC range, isoflurane, halothane, and propofol have little or no effect on neuronal responses to noxious mechanical stimulation in the spinal dorsal horn but depress such responses in the ventral horn. Immobility produced in the 0.8-1.2 MAC range by these anesthetics appears to result from a depressant action in the ventral horn.