Neuronal activity results in release of K+ into the extracellular space of the central nervous
system. If the excess K+ is allowed to accumulate, neuronal firing will be compromised by …

The Kir4. 1 channel is crucial for the maintenance of the resting membrane potential of glial
cells, and it is believed to play a main role in the homeostasis of extracellular potassium. To …

Neuronal signaling in the central nervous system (CNS) associates with release of K+ into
the extracellular space resulting in transient increases in [K+] o. This elevated K+ is swiftly …

Potassium channels of the Kir2 family are widely expressed in neurons and glia, where they
form strong inwardly rectifying channels. Existing functional hypotheses for these channels …

During neuronal activity, extracellular potassium concentration ([K+] out) becomes elevated
and, if uncorrected, causes neuronal depolarization, hyperexcitability, and seizures …

Little information is available on the specific roles of different cellular mechanisms involved
in extracellular K+ homeostasis during neuronal activity in situ. These studies have been …

The K+ channels Kir4. 1 and Kir4. 1–Kir5. 1 are expressed in the glial cells of the CNS and
are involved in regulation of the K+ homeostasis. Several studies have shown that Kir4. 1 …

Glia in the central nervous system (CNS) express diverse inward rectifying potassium
channels (Kir). The major function of Kir is in establishing the high potassium (K+) selectivity …

The inwardly rectifying potassium channel (Kir), Kir4. 1 mediates spatial K+-buffering in the
CNS. In this process the channel is potentially exposed to a large range of extracellular K+ …

Neuronal activity in the spinal cord results in extracellular potassium accumulation that is
significantly higher in the dorsal horn than in the ventral horn. This is suggestive of …