# Interaction of Subunits Regulating Resurgent Current Through Voltage Gated Na Channels

> **NIH NIH F31** · NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $19,264

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
Resurgent Na current is current through voltage-gated Na channels that flows upon repolarization of the cell,
leading to increased availability of channels between spikes, and enabling high frequency firing of neurons.
This high frequency firing behavior can be useful physiologically, as in the case of cerebellar Purkinje neurons
and dorsal root ganglion neurons, but can also lead to several pathophysiological states, including ataxia,
epilepsy, paroxysmal extreme pain disorder, and long QT syndrome. While many studies have described the
biophysical characteristics of resurgent current in detail, the molecular mechanism of resurgent current
production remains unknown. We are investigating the roles of several auxiliary subunits to the Na channel
which may play a role in resurgent current. We will do this by performing whole-cell voltage clamp recordings
of Na current through both expressed and native channels, in the context of their interaction with auxiliary
subunits, as well as examining these proteins’ roles in contributing to behavior in vivo. By elucidating what
factors are important for producing and modulating resurgent current, we will define a molecular mechanism by
which many neuron types produce high frequency firing, which will help shape our understanding of neural
communication in both physiological and pathophysiological states.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10022158
- **Project number:** 5F31NS108444-02
- **Recipient organization:** NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Hayley Virginia White
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $19,264
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-04-01 → 2020-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10022158

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10022158, Interaction of Subunits Regulating Resurgent Current Through Voltage Gated Na Channels (5F31NS108444-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10022158. Licensed CC0.

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