31 / 2021-07-26 22:08:43

Progress of potassium channels in Parkinson's disease

potassium channel,Parkinson’s disease,drug targets

Parkinson's disease is the second largest neurodegenerative disease. Its pathogenic mechanism is related to the severe loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and the large accumulation of α-synuclein. Potassium channels are widely distributed in the central nervous system and play a key role in regulating cell excitability, synaptic transmission and neurotransmitter release. A large number of literatures show that the occurrence of Parkinson's disease is closely related to the abnormal function of potassium channels. Also, Parkinson's disease is also considered to be an ion channel disease. Recent studies show that intervention of potassium channels can significantly affect the movement and non-motor disorders of Parkinson's disease. If potassium channel-specific activation or inhibitors are used to regulate potassium channel expression in Parkinson's disease patients, the condition can be effectively regulated. Perhaps, the development of drugs with potassium channels will be a new idea for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. However, the application of the drug still has a long way to go in clinical trials.