Ion channels

Barker, B. S. , Young , G. T. , Soubrane, C. H., Stephens, G. J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8966-4238, Stevens, E. B. and Patel , M. K. (2017) Ion channels. In: Conn, P. M. (ed.) Conn's Translational Neuroscience 1st Edition. Elsevier Academic Press, London, pp. 11-43. ISBN 9780128023815 doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-802381-5.00002-6

Abstract/Summary

Ion channels are protein molecules that span across the cell membrane allowing the passage of ions from one side of the membrane to the other. They have an aqueous pore, which becomes accessible to ions after a conformational change in the protein structure that causes the ion channel to open. Ion channels are selective meaning that they only allow certain ions to pass through them, and they play critical roles in controlling neuronal excitability. Ion channels are divided into those that are opened by changes in membrane potential, voltage-gated ion channels, and ion channels that are opened by the binding of a ligand, such as a hormone or a neurotransmitter, ligand-gated ion channels. In this chapter we introduce both voltage-gated and ligand-gated ion channels that are abundantly expressed within the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. Here, we discuss their roles in neurological disorders and introduce some common clinically used drugs that target ion channels as a means of treatment.

Item Type	Book or Report Section
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/69072
Item Type	Book or Report Section
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Interdisciplinary Research Centres (IDRCs) > Centre for Integrative Neuroscience and Neurodynamics (CINN) Life Sciences > School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy > School of Pharmacy > Division of Pharmacology
Publisher	Elsevier Academic Press
Download/View statistics	View download statistics for this item