Therapeutic potential of potassium channel modulators for CNS disorders

Potassium (K+) channels play a pivotal role in the CNS, controlling cell excitability thereby raising their therapeutic application. In realisation of the utility of K+ channels, many pharmaceutical companies have developed a plethora of antagonists and openers for a range of disorders, including stroke, epilepsy, pain and cognition. The most promising targets, including BKCa, SKCa and KCNQ channels, will be reviewed in this article. The focus will be upon the most recent K+ channel modulator patents for CNS disorders and future developments of drugs for the treatment of CNS disorders.