Book Chapter
Are Alterations in Transmitter Receptor and Ion Channel Expression Responsible for Epilepsies?
Kim L Powell, Katarzyna Lukasiuk, Terence J O'Brien, Asla Pitkanen
Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology | SPRINGER | Published : 2014
Abstract
Neuronal voltage-gated ion channels and ligand-gated synaptic receptors play a critical role in maintaining the delicate balance between neuronal excitation and inhibition within neuronal networks in the brain. Changes in expression of voltage-gated ion channels, in particular sodium, hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) and calcium channels, and ligand-gated synaptic receptors, in particular GABA and glutamate receptors, have been reported in many types of both genetic and acquired epilepsies, in animal models and in humans. In this chapter we review these and discuss the potential pathogenic role they may play in the epilepsies.
Grants
Awarded by Polish Ministry of Science and Education
Funding Acknowledgements
This work was supported by a Polish Ministry of Science and Education grant DNP/N119/ESF-EuroEPINOMICS/2012 to K.L. and the Academy of Finland, the Sigrid Juselius Foundation, CURE grant to A.P.