T-type Ca2+ channels in normal and abnormal brain functions

Low-voltage-activated T-type Ca(2+) channels are widely expressed in various types of neurons. Once deinactivated by hyperpolarization, T-type channels are ready to be activated by a small depolarization near the resting membrane potential and, therefore, are optimal for regulating the excitability...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physiological reviews 2013-07, Vol.93 (3), p.961-992
Main Authors: Cheong, Eunji, Shin, Hee-Sup
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Brain - metabolism
Calcium Channels, T-Type - genetics
Calcium Channels, T-Type - metabolism
Epilepsy, Absence - metabolism
Humans
Pain - metabolism
Signal Transduction - physiology
Sleep - physiology
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Low-voltage-activated T-type Ca(2+) channels are widely expressed in various types of neurons. Once deinactivated by hyperpolarization, T-type channels are ready to be activated by a small depolarization near the resting membrane potential and, therefore, are optimal for regulating the excitability and electroresponsiveness of neurons under physiological conditions near resting states. Ca(2+) influx through T-type channels engenders low-threshold Ca(2+) spikes, which in turn trigger a burst of action potentials. Low-threshold burst firing has been implicated in the synchronization of the thalamocortical circuit during sleep and in absence seizures. It also has been suggested that T-type channels play an important role in pain signal transmission, based on their abundant expression in pain-processing pathways in peripheral and central neurons. In this review, we will describe studies on the role of T-type Ca(2+) channels in the physiological as well as pathological generation of brain rhythms in sleep, absence epilepsy, and pain signal transmission. Recent advances in studies of T-type channels in the control of cognition will also be briefly discussed.
ISSN:1522-1210
DOI:10.1152/physrev.00010.2012