γ-Aminobutyric Acid Type A Receptor β2 Subunit Mediates the Hypothermic Effect of Etomidate in Mice

Abstract

The GABAA receptor beta 2 subunit mediates a significant proportion of the hypothermic effects of etomidate. As the beta 2 subunit mediates postrecovery ataxia and sedation, anesthetic agents that do not have in vivo potency at beta 2 subunit-containing receptors offer the potential for surgical anesthesia with improved recovery characteristics.