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Published on: March 13, 2012
Characteristics of HCN channels and their participation in neuropathic pain
Yu-Qiu Jiang1, Qian Sun, Hui-Yin Tu
1Neuroscience Research Institute, Peking University, 38 Xueyuan Road, Beijing 100083, People's Republic of China.
Abstract:
Neuropathic pain is induced by the injury to nervous systems and characterized by hyperalgesia, allodynia and spontaneous pain. The underlying mechanisms include peripheral and central sensitization resulted from neuronal hyperexcitability. A number of ion channels are considered to contribute to the neuronal hyperexcitability. Here, we particularly concentrate on an interesting ion channel, hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide gated (HCN) channels. We overview its biophysical properties, physiological functions, followed by focusing on the current progress in the study of its role in the development of neuropathic pain. We attempt to provide a comprehensive review of the potential valuable target, HCN channels, in the treatment of neuropathic pain.
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