Brainstorms August 16, 2004

Brainstorms: Mechanism of Action of α2δ Ligands: Voltage Sensitive Calcium Channel (VSCC) Modulators

Stephen M. Stahl, MD, PhD

J Clin Psychiatry 2004;65(8):1033-1034

Article Abstract

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Ion channels that are sensitive to changes in the charge across neuronal membranes are known as voltage sensitive or voltage gated ion channels and are critical to neurotransmission in the central nervous system.1-5 Two major classes include those that conduct sodium ions, and are thus known as voltage sensitive sodium channels or VSSCs,6 and those that conduct calcium ions, known as voltage sensitive calcium channels (VSCCs).5