ABSTRACT
Recent developments in neurophysiology, molecular genetics, and computational chemistry have the potential to advance our knowledge of molecular theories of anesthesia. Recent research results have not supported theories that postulate a general anesthetic-induced change in properties of nerve membranes. Instead, they have pointed to anesthetic action at specific sites in transmembrane ion channels. I We will review the recent data that have caused rejection of mechanisms based on the Meyer-Overton hypothesis.i-' We will discuss theories of anesthesia based on changes in bulk properties in membrane lipids and then consider theories based on interaction of anesthetics with specific sites on transmembrane proteins, in particular ligand-gated ion channels. Finally,we will consider the potential of future developments, including X-ray structures of ion channels and preparation of transgenic animals that may be resistant to anesthetic drugs.
