[Physiology, pharmacology and modelling of potassium channels: focus on SK channels]

Abstract

Various types of ion channels are involved in the control of neuronal activity. Among them, SK channels represent an interesting therapeutic target. Indeed, they underlie medium duration after hyperpolarizations in many types of neurons, thus inhibiting cell excitability. A thorough knowledge of the physiology of these channels and the discovery of non-peptidic selective modulators able to cross the blood-brain barrier are essential in view of developing future drugs for brain diseases such as those related to a dysfunction of dopaminergic and serotonergic systems.