| Budget Amount *help |
¥4,550,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,500,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,050,000)
Fiscal Year 2012: ¥1,300,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,000,000、Indirect Cost: ¥300,000)
Fiscal Year 2011: ¥1,300,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,000,000、Indirect Cost: ¥300,000)
Fiscal Year 2010: ¥1,950,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,500,000、Indirect Cost: ¥450,000)
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| Research Abstract |
We focused on the potassium buffering function of brain astrocytes andanalyzed the pathophysiological changes in expression of the inwardly-rectifying potassium channel 4.1(Kir4.1), which mediates spatial potassium buffering in astrocytes, using various animal models ofepilepsy. Our results revealed that reduced expression (down-regulation) of astrocytic Kir4.1 channels inthe limbic system (e.g., amygdala and piriform cortex) is closely linked to induction of generalizedtonic-clonic seizures. In addition, studies using kindling models suggest that Kir4.1 channels negativelyregulate the epileptogenesis (i.e., induction and development of epileptic seizures). Thus, the presentstudy illustrates that astrocytic Kir4.1 channels would serve as a novel therapeutic target for epilepsy.
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