Mutations and polymorphisms in voltage-gated calcium, sodium, and potassium channels are increasingly implicated in the pathogenesis and genetic risk of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and autism spectrum disorders.
Ion channels play a significant role in the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric disorders and represent promising targets for pharmacological therapy.
Voltage-gated ion channels are important mediators of physiological functions in the central nervous system. The cyclic activation of these channels influences neurotransmitter release, neuron excitability, gene transcription, and plasticity, providing distinct brain areas with unique physiological and pharmacological response. A growing body of data has implicated ion channels in the susceptibility or pathogenesis of psychiatric diseases. Indeed, population studies support the association of polymorphisms in calcium and potassium channels with the genetic risk for bipolar disorders (BPDs) or schizophrenia. Moreover, point mutations in calcium, sodium, and potassium channel genes have been identified in some childhood developmental disorders. Finally, antibodies against potassium channel complexes occur in a series of autoimmune psychiatric diseases. Here we report recent studies assessing the role of calcium, sodium, and potassium channels in BPD, schizophrenia, and autism spectrum disorders, and briefly summarize promising pharmacological strategies targeted on ion channels for the therapy of mental illness and related genetic tests.
Imbrici et al. (Tue,) conducted a review in Neuropsychiatric disorders (Bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorders). Mutations and polymorphisms in voltage-gated calcium, sodium, and potassium channels are increasingly implicated in the pathogenesis and genetic risk of bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and autism spectrum disorders.