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Review
. 2005 Jul;6(7):704-11.

A potassium channel, the M-channel, as a therapeutic target

Toral S Surti  1 , Lily Y Jan
Affiliations
  • PMID: 16044666
Review

A potassium channel, the M-channel, as a therapeutic target

Toral S Surti et al. Curr Opin Investig Drugs. 2005 Jul.

Abstract

Compounds that stimulate or inhibit M-channels (ie, voltage-gated potassium channels formed by KCNQ2, KCNQ3 and KCNQ5) have been evaluated in clinical trials for epilepsy, stroke and Alzheimer's disease. The importance of M-channel function in reducing neuronal excitability is underscored by the finding that KCNQ2/3 mutations causing mild reduction of M-channel activity are linked to neonatal epilepsy. M-channel openers decrease the hyperexcitability responsible for epileptic seizures, neuropathic pain and migraine. Conversely, M-channel blockers may enhance cognitive functions. The M-channel has thus emerged as a promising target for treating epilepsy, stroke, migraine, pain, dementia, anxiety and bipolar disorder.

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