title: A potassium channel, the M-channel, as a therapeutic target.
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.
authors.affiliation: Graduate Group in Biophysics, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143-0725, USA.
authors.forename: Toral S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Surti
authors.forename: Lily Y
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Jan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002219:Carbamates / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002491:Central Nervous System Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007211:Indoles / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015394:Molecular Structure; D010655:Phenylenediamines / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D024642:Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated / Q000819:agonists / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology*; D011725:Pyridines / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D002219:Carbamates; D002491:Central Nervous System Agents; D007211:Indoles; D010655:Phenylenediamines; D024642:Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated; D011725:Pyridines; C101866:ezogabine; C061017:linopirdine