2008 Volume 28 Issue 5 Pages 723-731
Local anesthetics prevent and relieve pain by interfering with conduction of action potentials in the nervous system by direct interaction with voltage-dependent sodium channels. Recently, a three-dimensional structure of α-subunit of the voltage-dependent sodium channel has been revealed. Also, at least nine subtypes of voltage-dependent sodium channels have been identified. The elucidation of the voltage-dependent sodium channel appears to provide new insights into the mechanism of action of the local anesthetics and the pathophysiology of intractable pain.
