In amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, motor neuron hyperexcitability and inhibitory dysfunction is emerging as a potential causative link in the dysfunction and degeneration of the motoneuronal circuitry that characterizes the disease. Interneurons, as key regulators of excitability, may mediate much of this imbalance, yet we know little about the way in which inhibitory deficits perturb excitability. In this review, we explore inhibitory control of excitability and the potential contribution of altered inhibition to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis disease processes and vulnerabilities, identifying important windows of therapeutic opportunity and potential interventions, specifically targeting inhibitory control at key disease stages.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, excitability, hyperexcitability, hypoexcitability, inhibition, interneuron, motor neuron
Research Division:	Biomedical and Clinical Sciences
Research Group:	Neurosciences
Research Field:	Neurology and neuromuscular diseases
Objective Division:	Health
Objective Group:	Clinical health
Objective Field:	Clinical health not elsewhere classified
UTAS Author:	Clark, R (Dr Rosie Clark)
UTAS Author:	Blizzard, C (Dr Catherine Blizzard)
UTAS Author:	Dickson, T (Professor Tracey Dickson)
ID Code:	105125
Year Published:	2015
Deposited By:	Menzies Institute for Medical Research
Deposited On:	2015-12-08
Last Modified:	2018-03-20
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