K+ ions and channels: mechanisms of sensing O2 deprivation in central neurons.

Abstract

This is an exciting area of research for at least two reasons: (1) it has high clinical visibility and potential implications that transcend age, tissue, and cell type. (2) Currently there are very powerful armamentaria to solve questions and we are starting to apply this in this area of research. Hence, the possibility for understanding how hypoxia induces injury or why do cells survive anoxia is within reach. I hope that within the foreseeable future we will be able to solve some of these questions at the molecular level and start to target some of the important pathways for pharmacologic and drug interventions.