Neurotoxicity of propofol on rat hypoglossal motoneurons in vitro.

•One adverse effect of the i.v. anaesthetic propofol might be neurotoxicity.•This phenomenon was studied on neonatal rat hypoglossal motoneurons (HMs) in vitro.•1 or 5μM propofol released intracellular AIF without early motoneuron death.•Propofol potentiated GABA or glycine currents and depressed NMDA ones.•Toxicity may arise from the depolarizing nature of GABA and glycine on immature HMs.