Question

Local anesthetics increase the axonal Na+ entry.

(a) True

(b) False

I had been asked this question in an international level competition.

My question is taken from Mechanism of Action of General Anesthetics in chapter Local & General Anesthetics, Opioid Analgesics, Drug Addiction and Drug Abuse of Drug Biotechnology

Answer 1

Correct choice is (b) False

The best I can explain: Local anesthetics help block conduction. It decreases the axonal Na+ entry thus prevents action potential propagation. Administration of general anesthetics decreases the presynaptic Ca^2+ entry, thus decreases the neurotransmitter release. It increases postsynaptic Cl^– entry and also increases postsynaptic K+ leakage from the cell.