Pre-synaptic function explains age-dependent actions of general anesthetics in the rat hippocampal synaptic transmission

► Mechanism for age-related modification of anesthetic action was not defined. ► We studied effects of general anesthetics on hippocampal synaptic transmission. ► We first demonstrated age-dependent modification of thiopental action in vitro. ► Age-dependent reduction in neurotransmitter (GABA) pools explains our results.