Potassium channels and autism spectrum disorder: An overview

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) comprises a group of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviors, interests, or activities. It had been demonstrated that potassium channels played a key role in regulating neuronal excitability, which was closely associated with neurological diseases including epilepsy, ataxia, myoclonus, and psychiatric disorders. In recent years, a growing body of evidence from whole-genome sequencing and whole-exome sequencing had identified several ASD susceptibility genes of potassium channels in ASD subjects. Genetically dysfunction of potassium channels may be involved in altered neuronal excitability and abnormal brain function in the pathogenesis of ASD. This review summarizes current findings on the features of ASD-risk genes (KCND2, KCNQ2, KCNQ3, KCNH5, KCNJ2, KCNJ10, and KCNMA1) and further expatiate their potential role in the pathogenicity of ASD.

Automated summary

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and restricted, repetitive behaviors. Potassium channels play a key role in regulating neuronal excitability, and ASD susceptibility genes associated with potassium channels may contribute to altered brain function in ASD pathogenesis.