title: Neuronal T-type calcium channels: what's new? Iftinca: T-type channel regulation.
abstract: This review summarizes recent advances in our understanding of neuronal T-type calcium channel regulation as well as their physiological and pathophysiological roles. Through their ability to conduct calcium across the cellular membrane at potentials close to the resting potential, T-type calcium channels are critically important for regulating neuronal excitability, both in the central and peripheral nervous system. T-type channels are also linked to an increasing number of neurological disorders such as the absence epilepsy and neuropathic pain. Although there is substantial literature dealing with regulation of native T-type channels, the underlying molecular mechanism has only recently been addressed. It is, therefore, critical to understand the cellular mechanisms that control T-type channel activity and expression, because this could provide important insight into designing novel therapeutic strategies targeting these channels.
authors.affiliation: Foothills Medical Centre, Department of Pathology, Calgary, AB, T2N 2T9, Canada. Mircea.Iftinca@cls.ab.ca
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Iftinca
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D020747:Calcium Channels, T-Type / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D020747:Calcium Channels, T-Type