Sodium Amytal [Neurosurgery Wiki]

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====== Sodium Amytal ======

===== General information =====

A [[barbiturate]] derivative that activates GABA A receptors. When it is administered into cerebral vasculature during [[Wada test]], it temporarily anesthetizes the perfused region, resulting in the isolation of the contralateral hemisphere, permitting assessment of cortical functions including language and memory. It blocks neuronal activity, and in conjunction with [[lidocaine]], which blocks axonal activity, it is administered as a test injection in procedures such as spinal AVM embolization, or embolization of spinal tumors, prior to the injection of the embolic agent.

===== Indications and case selection =====

[[Wada test]]

Test injection prior to the embolization of the feeder vessel of AVM. In order to suppress both neuronal and axonal activity, [[Amytal]] injection is followed by [[xylocaine]] injection.