Interesting article concerning the connection between ion channels in the brain, and dysfunction of these causing CNS symptoms, yet, BIG PHARMA continue to manufacture "happy pills' which do not work, except for a a few hours, are addictive and cause even more damage to the fragile system of neuronal circuitry. After all, anti-depressants alone, is worth a revenue of $40 billions a year!!

Not only, there is no science behind the production of anti-depressants and most strong analgesics, such as Neurotonin, (which are nothing more than mind altering drugs), but, BIG PHARMA is jumping on the gravy train, preparing to manufacture "drugs" to treat dysfunction in potassium ion channels, hum, can't wait to see the results.

Key Potassium Ion Channel Modulating Proteins Discovered

New York (MedscapeWire) Feb 8 — A family of proteins has been identified called potassium channel interacting proteins (KChIPs) that associate with and regulate the activity of certain potassium ion channels, called "A-type" channels, according to a study in the February 3 issue of Nature. These A-type potassium channels are thought to be involved in the control of the electrical signals of the brain and other excitable tissues. Abnormalities in the electrical signals of these tissues may form the basis for a variety of disorders including anxiety, depression, ischemia, and epilepsy.

The article believed to be the first publication to identify a modulator of the function of these key potassium channels. Prior to this discovery, the activity of the isolated channel was found to be significantly different from the natural activity measured in the brain. These KChIPs are believed to be important missing components of native A-type potassium channels which helps explain the difference. The identification of these additional components may allow for the development of new drug screens to identify compounds that modulate A-type potassium channels in a tissue-specific manner. This may allow for the development of therapeutics for CNS disorders that do not cause unwanted adverse effects in nonbrain tissues such as the heart.

Cont/...

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/411593