Restoring ion channel pathology by parameter optimization

In diseases of the brain, the distribution and properties of ion channels display deviations from healthy control subjects. We studied two cases of ion channel alterations related to epileptogenesis. The first case of ion channel alteration represents an enhanced sodium current, the second case addresses the run down of conductance of the transient potassium current, KA. In previous studies we have shown that KA reduce highly synchronized synaptic input while minimally affect semi-synchronized input (1). The KA channel may therefore function as a protective mechanism against synchronous input involved in seizures. In this study we investigate if modulatory substances which targets the KA can functionally corrected the two pathological models.