Local anesthetics primarily act on which type of neurons?

Local anesthetics primarily act on sensory neurons. Their main function is to block the transmission of pain signals from the site of injury or surgical intervention to the central nervous system. By inhibiting the sodium channels in these neurons, local anesthetics prevent the depolarization necessary for action potentials, effectively stopping the sensation of pain from reaching the brain.

This selectivity is vital in clinical practice, as it allows for targeted pain relief during procedures without impairing motor function or autonomic responses significantly. While some local anesthetics may have effects on motor and autonomic neurons at high concentrations or in certain contexts, the primary action and therapeutic use concentrate on sensory neurons to achieve localized anesthesia.