Axonal conduction and injury in multiple sclerosis: the role of sodium channels

SG Waxman - Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 2006 - nature.com
Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 2006nature.com
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common cause of neurological disability in young adults.
Recent studies have implicated specific sodium channel isoforms as having an important
role in several aspects of the pathophysiology of MS, including the restoration of impulse
conduction after demyelination, axonal degeneration and the mistuning of Purkinje neurons
that leads to cerebellar dysfunction. By manipulating the activity of these channels or their
expression, it might be possible to develop new therapeutic approaches that will prevent or …
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common cause of neurological disability in young adults. Recent studies have implicated specific sodium channel isoforms as having an important role in several aspects of the pathophysiology of MS, including the restoration of impulse conduction after demyelination, axonal degeneration and the mistuning of Purkinje neurons that leads to cerebellar dysfunction. By manipulating the activity of these channels or their expression, it might be possible to develop new therapeutic approaches that will prevent or limit disability in MS.
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