A Neurochemical Perspective on States of Consciousness

摘要: The foundation of anesthesia rests upon discoveries made by chemists. This is illustrated Joseph Preistly’s and Humphrey Davy’s research on nitrous oxide; Paracelsus’ work with ether; the studies chemists Eugene Soubeiran, Justus von Liebig, Samual Gutherie, Jean-Baptiste Dumas chloroform; more recently Paul Janssen’s development fentanyl. Anesthetics are synthetic compounds that exert effects one or endogenous neurochemical systems to produce a behavioral state characterized traits include unconsciousness, amnesia, analgesia. mechanisms which anesthetics cause loss consciousness (hypnosis) not known, but there compelling evidence alter regulate sleep wakefulness (Keifer et al. 1994; Lydic 1996; Vanini 2008). Advances in analytical chemistry now make it possible begin systematic characterization molecules states such as anesthesia. chapter provides brief overview neurobiology its unique relevance for efforts understand Readers referred elsewhere detailed reviews (Lydic Biebuyck Espana Scammell 2004; Steriade McCarley 2005; Datta MacLean 2007; Monti, Pandi-Perumal, Sinton