Advancements in Targeting Ion Channels for the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Diseases

Abstract

Ion channels are integral membrane proteins embedded in biological membranes, and they comprise specific proteins that control the flow of ion transporters in and out of cells, playing crucial roles in the biological functions of different cells. They maintain the homeostasis of water and ion metabolism by facilitating ion transport and participate in the physiological processes of neurons and glial cells by regulating signaling pathways. Neurodegenerative diseases are a group of disorders characterized by the progressive loss of neurons in the central nervous system (CNS) or peripheral nervous system (PNS). Despite significant progress in understanding the pathophysiological processes of various neurological diseases in recent years, effective treatments for mitigating the damage caused by these diseases remain inadequate. Increasing evidence suggests that ion channels are closely associated with neuroinflammation; oxidative stress; and the characteristic proteins in neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), Huntington’s disease (HD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and multiple sclerosis (MS). Therefore, studying the pathogenic mechanisms closely related to ion channels in neurodegenerative diseases can help identify more effective therapeutic targets for treating neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we discuss the progress of research on ion channels in different neurodegenerative diseases and emphasize the feasibility and potential of treating such diseases from the perspective of ion channels.