Potential neuroprotective properties of atracurium and cisatracurium in neurosurgical anaesthesia.

Recent research has showed alpha4beta2 receptor activation represent a primary molecular target for neuroprotection. Laudanosine, a metabolite of the neuromuscular blocking drugs atracurium and cisatracurium can activate central alpha4beta2 receptors. As a consequence, it was hypothesized that laudanosine, at clinical concentrations reported in the CSF during and up to several hours after the end of neurosurgery, might elicit a long-acting neuroprotective action.