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Potassium (K) channels are encoded by approximately 80 genes in mammals. They are expressed in many tissues and have diverse physiological roles. Human K channels are divided mainly into calcium (Ca)-activated (K), inward-rectifying (K), two-pore (K), and voltage-gated (K) channels. The K channels form the largest family, with approximately 40 genes. Owing to their involvement in many diseases and their specific expression patterns and physiological roles, K channels present an attractive target for the development of new therapies. This review summarizes the physiological and pathophysiological roles of various potassium channels with respect to their therapeutic potential for disorders with a disturbed neuronal excitability such as epilepsy, migraine, neuropathic pain, or stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epileptic nystagmus (EN) is characterized by repetitive eye movements as a symptom of seizure activity. Two cases of EN are reported including ictal EEG, video recordings and MRI. In addition, we review the published cases and pathophysiological background of EN. The cardinal cortical region for EN is located at the junction of Brodmann areas 19/37/39 correlating with the main epileptogenic region observed in the analyzed cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]