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Low‐voltage activated Kv1.1 subunits are crucial for the processing of sound source location in the lateral superior olive in mice
Author(s) -
Karcz Anita,
Hennig Matthias H.,
Robbins Carol A.,
Tempel Bruce L.,
Rübsamen Rudolf,
KoppScheinpflug Cornelia
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
the journal of physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.802
H-Index - 240
eISSN - 1469-7793
pISSN - 0022-3751
DOI - 10.1113/jphysiol.2010.203331
Subject(s) - sound (geography) , voltage , acoustics , chemistry , biophysics , neuroscience , computer science , physics , electrical engineering , biology , engineering
Non‐technical summary Voltage‐gated potassium channels control excitability throughout the nervous system and their dysfunction (or mutation) is associated with epilepsy and movement disorders. Loss of the insulating myelin sheath around nerve fibres (axons) in multiple sclerosis causes transmission failure by exposing too many potassium channels. We show that too few potassium channels also causes errors in information transmission as measured by the ability to localize the source of a sound, and suggests a general role for potassium channels along myelinated nerve fibres. These results give insights into normal neuronal function and into neurodegenerative disease mechanisms for patients with ataxia and multiple sclerosis.