Mr Karthik Krishnan

Epilepsy, a chronic neurological condition affecting 1 in 25 Australians, impacts various aspects of our lives such as work, transportation, and sleep. Despite its widespread effects, our comprehension of the underlying mechanisms remains incomplete. Previous research strongly suggests a link between elevated neuronal calcium levels and the development and persistence of seizures, yet the specific calcium channels responsible for allowing calcium entry into neurons remain enigmatic. Conventional drugs that inhibit calcium channels have shown limited efficacy in managing epilepsy, prompting investigation into alternative channels like transient receptor potential channels (TRPs). Recent findings from the Calcium Signaling Lab (JCSMR) highlight the significant expression of TRP Ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) in the mammalian cortex, where its activation triggers intraneuronal calcium influx, mimicking seizure-like activity. Blocking TRPA1 has demonstrated a reduction in neuronal firing. This post-doctoral project aims to delve into the role of TRPA1 in epilepsy development, shedding light on calcium regulation mechanisms in brain cells and paving the way for innovative epilepsy treatments targeting TRPA1 channels