General anesthetic agents induce neurotoxicity through oligodendrocytes in developing brain

General anesthetic agents can impact brain functions through interactions with neurons and their effects on glial cells. Oligodendrocytes are particularly vulnerable to the effects of general anesthetic agents, resulting in impaired proliferation, differentiation and even apoptosis. Oligodendrocytes play important roles in the central nervous system, including forming myelin sheaths, supporting axonal metabolism, and mediating certain forms of neuroplasticity. Neurologists are increasingly interested in ongoing research on the effects of general anesthetic agents on oligodendrocytes. These agents not only act on the surface receptors of oligodendrocytes to elicit neuroinflammation through modulation of signaling pathways but also cause metabolic disruptions and changes in gene expression that affect oligodendrocyte development and function. In this review, we summarize the effects of general anesthetic agents on oligodendrocytes and the possible underlying mechanisms. It is our hope that future research will continue to focus on the effects of general anesthetic agents on oligodendrocytes as a potential target, and thereby offer solutions to reduce the incidence of adverse reactions associated with the use of general anesthetic agents.