Mechanism of action of barbiturates.

Despite the widespread use of barbiturates and their clear potential for abuse, little is known of their neurochemical mechanisms of action. Our purpose is to review the neurochemical effects of acute and chronic barbiturate administration, with particular emphasis on the relationship between neurochemical changes and the development of tolerance and dependence. The electrophysiological effects of barbiturates have been reviewed recently (1-3), and Okamoto (4) has compared the neurophysiological and neurochemical effects of barbiturates to the effects of alcohol. The clinical charac.teristics of barbiturate abuse have been reported by Wesson & Smith (5), and the membrane actions of barbiturates and other anesthetics have been reviewed by Seeman (6) and Roth (7).