Potentiation, activation and blockade of GABAA receptors by etomidate in the rat sacral dorsal commissural neurons

These results suggest that in SDCN, in addition to the potentiation of GABAA receptor-mediated responses at low concentrations and the direct activation of GABAA receptors at moderate concentrations as expected, ET produced a fast blocking action at high concentrations. The general anesthetic-induced effects in SDCN, at least the potentiation of GABA responses, may significantly contribute to anesthesia of pelvic viscera during the general anesthesia.