Abstract
Under normal conditions (where the K concentration in the extracellular fluid is between 3 and 5 mM), the equilibrium potential for K ions across the neuronal cell membrane (EK) is between -80 and -100 mV. Hence, when K channels are open, they carry an outward positive current and will hyperpolarize, repolarize, or stabilize the membrane potential; that is, they will dampen excitability, and oppose the tendency of voltage-gated Na or Ca channels, or ligand-gated cation channels, to depolarize the membrane or excite the neurone.
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© 2000 Springer Japan
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Brown, D.A. (2000). Introductory Review: K Currents and Modulation. In: Kuba, K., Higashida, H., Brown, D.A., Yoshioka, T. (eds) Slow Synaptic Responses and Modulation. Springer, Tokyo. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-66973-9_8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-66973-9_8
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