The Ionic Channels of Glial Cells

  • C. Krieger
  • S. U. Kim
Chapter

Abstract

Considerable recent experimentation has demonstrated the presence of numerous types of ionic channels in the cell membranes of all classes of glial cells. Some of these ionic channels are largely voltage-insensitive, others show prominent voltage-sensitivity and still other channels are activated by pharmacological agents. As a whole these channels appear to play prominent roles in the activities of glial cells, such as potassium ion regulation or possibly in the intercellular transfer of substances to axons. What has become increasingly clear is that the distribution of some of these channels in both axons and in glia is interdependent. Abnormal neuronal electrophysiological function occurs as a result of demyelination, and neurons themselves appear to influence the electrophysiological properties of glial cells. Furthermore, in demyelination and remyelination the electrical properties of neurons and glia are altered in ways that contribute extensively to the pathophysiology and clinical symptomatology of these processes. This brief review will attempt to summarize some of the information available concerning the ionic channels of glia.

Keywords

Glial Cell Schwann Cell Sodium Channel Potassium Channel Sodium Current 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
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Copyright information

© Plenum Press, New York 1989

Authors and Affiliations

  • C. Krieger
    • 1
  • S. U. Kim
    • 1
  1. 1.Division of Neurology, Department of MedicineUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverCanada

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