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A STUDY OF THE CENTRAL ACTION OF FLUROTHYL AND METHOXYFLURANE
Author(s) -
Schuck Sandra L,
Shulman A
Publication year - 1971
Publication title -
australian journal of experimental biology and medical science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.999
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1440-1711
pISSN - 0004-945X
DOI - 10.1038/icb.1971.54
Subject(s) - chemistry , pharmacology , medicine
Summary The central nervous system actions of the volatile fluorinated ethers flurothyl and methoxynflurane have been studied quantitatively in the mouse. Both ethers have been titrated against each other and against homologous glutarimides with analeptic, hypnotic or dual stimulant‐depressart central action. Flurothyl has been titrated additionally against the hypnoties hydroxydione, pentobarbitone sodium and trimethadione. The forms of the titration curves and the wide dose ranges of titration of the stimulants flurothyl, bemegride and 3‐methyl‐3‐n‐propylylutarimide have suggested that flurothyl and methoxyflurane produce their opposed stimulant and depressant actions at the same central sites as their structurally‐unrelated titrants. Thus, the ethers may act at excitatory synapses on neurones in the midbrain reticiular formation by increasing or decrcasing respectivcly the liberation of transmitter substance presynaptitally or the flux of ions postsynaptically, or both. Physicochemical properties of flurothyl and methoxyflurane which may contribute to their central actions have been discussed.