The Role of Neurotransmitters in Anesthesia

General anesthetic drugs produce extensive neuronal changes in the central nervous system by enhancing inhibitory and reducing excitatory neurotransmission. The major neurotransmitters, which are thought to play a role in anesthesia, are glutamate, serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine, acetylcholine, and GABA. The knowledge of neurotransmitters and their receptors’ function is very important in perception of anesthesia in routines practice.
The purpose of this review article is to give an overview of the different types of neurotransmitters in CNS, classification of neurotransmitters and mechanism of action of various types of neurotransmitters and their receptors.