AUTHOR=Baculis Brian C. , Zhang Jiaren , Chung Hee Jung 

TITLE=The Role of Kv7 Channels in Neural Plasticity and Behavior

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Physiology

VOLUME=11

YEAR=2020

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/physiology/articles/10.3389/fphys.2020.568667

DOI=10.3389/fphys.2020.568667

ISSN=1664-042X

ABSTRACT=<p>Activity-dependent persistent changes in neuronal intrinsic excitability and synaptic strength are widely thought to underlie learning and memory. Voltage-gated KCNQ/K<sub>v</sub>7 potassium channels have been of great interest as the potential targets for memory disorders due to the beneficial effects of their antagonists in cognition. Importantly, <italic>de novo</italic> dominant mutations in their neuronal subunits <italic>KCNQ2</italic>/K<sub>v</sub>7.2 and <italic>KCNQ3</italic>/K<sub>v</sub>7.3 are associated with epilepsy and neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by developmental delay and intellectual disability. The role of K<sub>v</sub>7 channels in neuronal excitability and epilepsy has been extensively studied. However, their functional significance in neural plasticity, learning, and memory remains largely unknown. Here, we review recent studies that support the emerging roles of K<sub>v</sub>7 channels in intrinsic and synaptic plasticity, and their contributions to cognition and behavior.</p>