title: Calcium channels and calcium channel antagonists.
abstract: Changes in free intracellular Ca2+ levels provide signals that allow nerve and muscle cells to respond to a host of external stimuli. A major mechanism for elevating the level of intracellular Ca2+ is the influx of extracellular Ca2+ through voltage-dependent channels in the cell membrane. Recent research has yielded new insights into the physiological properties, molecular structure, biochemical regulation, and functional heterogeneity of voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels. In addition, Ca2+ channel antagonist drugs have been developed that are valuable both as probes of channel structure and function and as therapeutic agents. Preliminary evidence suggests that these drugs may be useful in the treatment of diverse neurological disorders, including headache, subarachnoid hemorrhage, stroke, and epilepsy.
mesh_terms: D002118:Calcium / Q000502:physiology*; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy; D006261:Headache / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D013345:Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D007473:Ion Channels; D002118:Calcium