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Central Nervous System Agents in Medicinal Chemistry

Editor-in-Chief

ISSN (Print): 1871-5249
ISSN (Online): 1875-6166

Potassium Channels as Targets for the Management of Pain

Author(s): Kim Lawson

Volume 6, Issue 2, 2006

Page: [119 - 128] Pages: 10

DOI: 10.2174/187152406777441916

Price: $65

Abstract

Potassium (K+) channels play a critical role in regulating neuronal excitability, a fundamental feature of pain. The opening of K+ channels leads to hyperpolarization of the cell membrane, which results in a decrease of cell excitability. In the nociceptive pathways, K+ channels are involved in a number of processes within the nervous system, including neuronal depolarization, axonal conduction, and neurotransmitter release. As a consequence of the role played by K+ channels in the regulation of the nociceptive system and that K+ channel opening is involved in the antinociception induced by numerous analgesic drugs they have begun to be considered as direct targets for the development of new antinociceptive therapies. A limited number of potential K+ channels have, so far, been identified as targets for the development of antinociceptive therapies. This review considers the potential of selective modulators of KCNQ, KATP, GIRK, Twopore domain K+ channels, or KCa channels as novel therapeutic approaches to pain. Structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies to identify K+ channel selective modulators to target neuroexcitability and pain have, however, been limited to modulators KCNQ channels. The scope of the field of K+ channel modulators is just emerging but demonstrates promise for novel therapeutics in the management of pain.

Keywords: Pain, potassium channels, modulators, KATP, GIRK, Two-pore domain, KCa


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