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Article
Idiopathic epilepsy of childhood and potassium ion channels
Journal of Pakistan Medical Association
  • Alper I Dai, University of Gaziantep
  • Mohammad Wasay, Aga Khan University
Publication Date
8-1-2007
Document Type
Article
Abstract

Potassium can affect the development of common seizure type and can be defined seizure susceptibility allele. The existence of inward-rectifying potassium (Kir) channels was first recognized half a century ago. The biophysical fingerprint of Kir channels is inward rectification in the current-voltage relationship , which limits potassium efflux at depolarizing membrane potentials. Kir channels are essential in the control of resting membrane potential, coupling of the metabolic cellular state with membrane excitability, and maintenance of potassium homeostasis. The critical interval contains several candidate genes, one of which, KCNJ10, exhibits a potentially important polymorphism with regard to fundamental aspects of seizure susceptibility. Deletion of KCNJ10 as a seizure susceptibility gene that code for inward rectifier potassium ion channels imparts protection against seizures results in spontaneous seizures and increased seizure susceptibility. The unique role of Kir channels in membrane physiology coupled with previous strong association between ion channel gene mutations and seizure phenotypes puts even greater focus on KCNJ10

Citation Information
Alper I Dai and Mohammad Wasay. "Idiopathic epilepsy of childhood and potassium ion channels" Journal of Pakistan Medical Association Vol. 57 Iss. 8 (2007) p. 415 - 418
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/mohammad_wasay/43/