Genetic dissection of the molecular target(s) of anesthetics with the geneknockout approach in mice

Techniques have recently been developed that enable the creation of mice th at harbor specific, predetermined genetic changes. These 'gene knockout mic e', which contain a single genetic modification that is determined by the i nvestigator, can subsequently be analyzed with tests that span the molecula r, cellular, and behavioral levels. Application of such a multi-level appro ach to mechanisms of drug action should ultimately allow general anesthetic responses to be properly attributed to a molecular site. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.