Propofol regulates arousal by enhancing inhibitory synaptic transmission of noradrenergic neurons in the locus coeruleus of adult male mice.

ABSTRACT: Locus coeruleus-noradrenergic (LC-NA) neurons have been suggested to be involved in the effects of general anesthetics. However, the contribution of LC-NA neurons during propofol anesthesia remains unknown. We aimed to elucidate the mechanism of action of propofol in the LC-NA neurons. LC-NA neurons from adult male mice were identified by targeted expression of fluorescent proteins. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were performed to analyze the effects of propofol on action potentials and synaptic transmission. The results showed that propofol induced a concentration-dependent reduction in action potential firing frequency. It also increased the frequency of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents and prolonged their decay time. The presence of GABA_A receptor antagonist bi

SUBMITTER: Abe T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12568964 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature