Approaches to Anesthetic Mechanisms: The C. elegans Model.
Understanding the mechanisms of volatile anesthetics has been a complex problem that has intrigued investigators for decades. Through the use of relatively simple model organisms-including the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans-progress has been made. Like any model system, C. elegans has both advantages and disadvantages, which are discussed in this chapter. Methods are provided for exposing worms to volatile anesthetics in airtight glass chambers, and for measuring the concentrations of anesthetic in the chambers by gas chromatography. In addition, various behavioral assays are described for characterizing the worms' responses to anesthetics. C. elegans identified proteins that play a role in anesthetic sensitivity that are highly conserved in other organisms, including humans. With precisely characterized neural development, C. elegans has also afforded an excellent opportunity to study anesthetic-induced neurotoxicity. Continued progress in understanding anesthetic action is anticipated from the ongoing study of C. elegans and other animal models.
['Steele|Louise M|LM|', 'Sedensky|Margaret M|MM|']
D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation D000818:Animals D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins D002849:Chromatography, Gas D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug D048788:Growth and Development D008297:Male D023421:Models, Animal D009420:Nervous System D018675:Toxicity Tests
C. elegans Volatile anesthetics Behavioral assays Animal models Genetics