T-Type Channel Druggability at a Crossroads

Abstract

Low-voltage activated T-type calcium channels mediate essential functions in the nervous system, and alteration of channel activity is causally linked to a number of neurological conditions. Therefore, T-type channels hold great promise as pharmacological targets for new medicines. In this Viewpoint, we discuss the potential of T-type channels as druggable targets and reevaluate the strategies available for developing therapeutically efficient and specific modulators of this channel.

Keywords: Calcium channels; Cav3 channels; T-type channels; drug discovery; epilepsy; neuron; neuropathic pain; pharmacology.