Ion channels and transporters are crucial in the generation and modulation of excitability in the nervous system and have been implicated in human epilepsy. In recent years, many breakthroughs have been made in identifying different mutated ion channel genes linked to epilepsy. The genetic basis of these channelopathies provides a unique opportunity to investigate their underlying mechanisms from the molecular to whole-organism levels and has brought new molecular players as further potential therapeutic targets. At the state-of-the-art, patients afflicted by these genetic epilepsies mostly rely on “symptomatic” approaches that mitigate seizures and other major symptoms but do not target the underlying physiological causes of the disease. Gaining a detailed understanding of the regulation of ion transport as well as its disease-associated alterations will be key to the development of new therapeutic approaches against genetic epilepsies.
In this Research Topic, we are aiming to broadly address the molecular mechanisms and the current standing and progress, as well as novel channelopathy treatment approaches related to ion channels and transporters, with regard to epilepsy. We welcome all original research papers and review submissions on, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Candidate ion channel or transporter gene analysis on genetic epilepsy.
- Studies on novel cellular and molecular mechanism which has potential pharmacological translational significance.
- Investigating large and well-characterized patient cohorts which bring novel insights into epileptic channelopathies.
- Investigating potential novel therapeutic approaches to channelopathies in epilepsy, such as bioactive molecules and nutraceutical, iPS cells and organoids.
Contributions from leading international investigators will guarantee a broad and comprehensive understanding of the molecular basis underlying genetic epilepsy caused by mutations in ion channels and transporters, as well as related clinical problems. We hope that you will find it of interest and submit your valuable research.
Ion channels and transporters are crucial in the generation and modulation of excitability in the nervous system and have been implicated in human epilepsy. In recent years, many breakthroughs have been made in identifying different mutated ion channel genes linked to epilepsy. The genetic basis of these channelopathies provides a unique opportunity to investigate their underlying mechanisms from the molecular to whole-organism levels and has brought new molecular players as further potential therapeutic targets. At the state-of-the-art, patients afflicted by these genetic epilepsies mostly rely on “symptomatic” approaches that mitigate seizures and other major symptoms but do not target the underlying physiological causes of the disease. Gaining a detailed understanding of the regulation of ion transport as well as its disease-associated alterations will be key to the development of new therapeutic approaches against genetic epilepsies.
In this Research Topic, we are aiming to broadly address the molecular mechanisms and the current standing and progress, as well as novel channelopathy treatment approaches related to ion channels and transporters, with regard to epilepsy. We welcome all original research papers and review submissions on, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Candidate ion channel or transporter gene analysis on genetic epilepsy.
- Studies on novel cellular and molecular mechanism which has potential pharmacological translational significance.
- Investigating large and well-characterized patient cohorts which bring novel insights into epileptic channelopathies.
- Investigating potential novel therapeutic approaches to channelopathies in epilepsy, such as bioactive molecules and nutraceutical, iPS cells and organoids.
Contributions from leading international investigators will guarantee a broad and comprehensive understanding of the molecular basis underlying genetic epilepsy caused by mutations in ion channels and transporters, as well as related clinical problems. We hope that you will find it of interest and submit your valuable research.
