Greater axonal persistent sodium currents correlate with more rapid disease progression in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Abstract

Background: Two types of abnormalities of axonal ionic currents have been reported in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS): increased persistent sodium currents and reduced potassium currents in motor axons, both of which lead to axonal hyperexcitability and thereby generation of fasciculations. Previous study showed that greater axonal persistent sodium currents and early depolarizing sign in the recovery cycle could correlate with shorter survival in ALS patients.