Neuromuscular Blocking Agents (NMBAs)

Neuromuscular blocking agents cause muscle relaxation by blocking transmission at neuromuscular junctions.

Neuromuscular Blocking Agents (NMBAs)

• These are drugs that interfere with transmission of nerve impulses at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ).
• They cause paralysis of skeletal muscles by blocking the action of acetylcholine (ACh), the neurotransmitter that mediates nerve impulses to muscles.
• They do not affect consciousness or pain perception, which is why general anesthesia or sedation is needed concurrently.

Neuromuscular Junction (NMJ):

• The neuromuscular junction is the synapse between a motor neuron and a skeletal muscle fiber.
• It is where the nerve signal is transmitted to the muscle, causing contraction.

Key Steps:

1. Nerve impulse reaches the end of the motor neuron.
2. Acetylcholine (ACh) is released into the synaptic cleft.
3. ACh binds to nicotinic receptors on the muscle membrane (motor endplate).
4. This causes depolarization of the muscle membrane → muscle contraction.
5. ACh is broken down by acetylcholinesterase (AChE) to stop the signal.

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