Biomaterial Database

Neurological channelopathies: new insights into disease mechanisms and ion channel function. 2010

Dimitri M Kullmann, and Stephen G Waxman

Institute of Neurology, University College London, Department of Clinical Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK. d.kullmann@ion.ucl.ac.uk

Inherited mutations of ion channels provide unique insights into the mechanisms of many neurological diseases. However, they also provide a wealth of new information on the fundamental biology of ion channels and on neuron and muscle function. Ion channel genes are continuing to be discovered by positional cloning of disease loci. And some mutations provide unique tools to manipulate signalling cascades, which cannot be achieved by pharmacological intervention. Here we highlight some unanswered questions, and some promising areas for research that will likely lead to a fuller understanding of the link from molecular lesion to disease.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007473	Ion Channels	Gated, ion-selective glycoproteins that traverse membranes. The stimulus for ION CHANNEL GATING can be due to a variety of stimuli such as LIGANDS, a TRANSMEMBRANE POTENTIAL DIFFERENCE, mechanical deformation or through INTRACELLULAR SIGNALING PEPTIDES AND PROTEINS.	Membrane Channels,Ion Channel,Ionic Channel,Ionic Channels,Membrane Channel,Channel, Ion,Channel, Ionic,Channel, Membrane,Channels, Ion,Channels, Ionic,Channels, Membrane
D009422	Nervous System Diseases	Diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system. This includes disorders of the brain, spinal cord, cranial nerves, peripheral nerves, nerve roots, autonomic nervous system, neuromuscular junction, and muscle.	Neurologic Disorders,Nervous System Disorders,Neurological Disorders,Disease, Nervous System,Diseases, Nervous System,Disorder, Nervous System,Disorder, Neurologic,Disorder, Neurological,Disorders, Nervous System,Disorders, Neurologic,Disorders, Neurological,Nervous System Disease,Nervous System Disorder,Neurologic Disorder,Neurological Disorder
D009474	Neurons	The basic cellular units of nervous tissue. Each neuron consists of a body, an axon, and dendrites. Their purpose is to receive, conduct, and transmit impulses in the NERVOUS SYSTEM.	Nerve Cells,Cell, Nerve,Cells, Nerve,Nerve Cell,Neuron
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D053447	Channelopathies	A variety of neuromuscular conditions resulting from MUTATIONS in ION CHANNELS manifesting as episodes of EPILEPSY; HEADACHE DISORDERS; and DYSKINESIAS.	Channelopathy
D018450	Disease Progression	The worsening and general progression of a disease over time. This concept is most often used for chronic and incurable diseases where the stage of the disease is an important determinant of therapy and prognosis.	Clinical Course,Clinical Progression,Disease Exacerbation,Exacerbation, Disease,Progression, Clinical,Progression, Disease