Channel modulator
Channel Modulator
A Channel Modulator (pronunciation: /ˈtʃænəl ˈmɒdjʊleɪtər/) is a type of pharmacological agent that interacts with ion channels to alter their activity.
Etymology
The term "Channel Modulator" is derived from the English words "channel" and "modulator". "Channel" comes from the Latin word "canalis" meaning a pipe or groove, and "modulator" comes from the Latin word "modulatus", the past participle of "modulor" meaning to measure or regulate.
Function
Channel modulators function by either increasing (agonists) or decreasing (antagonists) the activity of ion channels. This can result in changes to the electrical activity of cells, and can have various effects depending on the specific ion channel and cell type involved. For example, some channel modulators are used as antiepileptic drugs to reduce the abnormal electrical activity in the brain that causes seizures.
Types
There are several types of channel modulators, including:
- Voltage-gated channel modulators
- Ligand-gated channel modulators
- Mechanosensitive channel modulators
Each of these types of modulators interacts with a different type of ion channel, and can have different effects on cell activity.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Channel modulator
- Wikipedia's article - Channel modulator
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