Key result
Dysfunctions of various potassium channels in the basal ganglia may be involved in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease, making them promising therapeutic targets.
Potassium channels in the basal ganglia represent promising therapeutic targets for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.
May inform future drug development for Parkinson's disease; leaves open whether potassium channel modulation alters patient outcomes.
A large number of studies indicate that potassium (K+) channels play important roles in cellular signaling in both excitable and nonexcitable cells. Moreover, a considerable number of K+ channels within the nervous system appear to mediate diverse cellular signaling, including regulation of neurotransmitter release, neuronal excitability, and cell volume. Recent studies on the K+ channel gene expression in the basal ganglia reveal dysfunctions of various K+ channels (e.g., Kv, KATP, Kir2 and SKCa), which may be involved in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). This review aims to provide an overview of our current understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in K+ channel functions in the basal ganglia, and an insight on how to exploit K+ channels as therapeutic targets in the treatment of PD.
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Gang Wang (2008) conducted a review in Parkinson's disease. Potassium channels (e.g., Kv, KATP, Kir2, SKCa) was evaluated. Dysfunctions of various potassium channels in the basal ganglia may be involved in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease, making them promising therapeutic targets.
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