Peer-review started: August 7, 2014
First decision: November 28, 2014
Revised: November 28, 2014
Accepted: December 16, 2014
Article in press: December 17, 2014
Published online: March 28, 2015
Processing time: 236 Days and 17.2 Hours
TWIK-related acid-sensitive K+ (TASK) channels give rise to leak K+ currents which influence the resting membrane potential and input resistance. The wide expression of TASK1 and TASK3 channels in the central nervous system suggests that these channels are critically involved in neurological disorders. It has become apparent in the past decade that TASK channels play critical roles for the development of various neurological disorders. In this review, I describe evidence for their roles in ischemia, epilepsy, learning/memory/cognition and apoptosis.
Core tip: The leak K+ conductance generated by TWIK-related acid-sensitive K+ (TASK) channels is crucial for neuronal excitability. Because of the substantial expression of TASK channels in the brain, it is possible that these channels are responsible for numerous neurological disorders. However, little is known about the roles of TASK channels in the development of neurological disorders. In this review, I introduce the molecular basis of leak K+ channels and describe the possible roles for TASK channels in several neurological disorders.