New Genomics and Genetics Findings from Seattle Children's Research Institute Reported (Potassium Leak Channels and Mitochondrial Complex I Interact In Glutamatergic Interneurons of the Mouse Spinal Cord).

A recent study conducted at the Seattle Children's Research Institute has found that volatile anesthetics induce hyperpolarizing potassium currents in spinal cord neurons, which may contribute to their mechanism of action. The study focused on the role of mitochondrial complex I and the Ndufs4 gene in this process. The researchers discovered that the yeast NADH dehydrogenase enzyme, NDi1, can restore mitochondrial function and reduce the hyperpolarization caused by isoflurane in neurons. These findings suggest that isoflurane-induced potassium currents in spinal cord neurons may be a downstream mechanism of complex I inhibition in determining minimum alveolar concentration. [Extracted from the article]