Grant: Project Grant

At its most basic level, our nervous system is an intricate circuit of specialized cells called neurons. Neurons convey information using electrical signals, which result from the controlled movement of charged ions across the neuronal membrane. This process relies on a class of proteins embedded in the neuronal membrane called ion channels. Due to their role in electrical communication, ion channels are key components of our nervous system. Mutations in ion channel genes are implicated in numerous human diseases, including Alzheimer's and schizophrenia; and aberrant ion channel function in the brain leads to cognitive impairment, thus ion channels are the targets of a wide variety of drugs. Therefore, insight into ion channel structure, function and mechanism is not only fundamental for a molecular understanding of the nervous system; it is also immediately relevant to human health. The proposed research will provide mechanistic insight into ion channel functions associated with cognitive impairment, which will be leveraged to guide the design of new and improved drugs. The result will be better mental health for Canadians through the development of novel, next-generation pharmaceuticals.