Fullerenes as novel modulators of neuronal potassium channels in CNS

We examine possible effects of C60 fullerenes on the main mechanisms of neuronal excitability and the influence of C60 fullerene nanocomposite on the voltage-gated sodium and potassium channels in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons of rat. Our data indicate that the C60 fullerene nanocomposite has different effects on voltage-gated sodium and potassium channels and therefore changes the excitability of hippocampal neurons. Thus, fullerenes can affect the neuronal function, most likely by the interaction with transmembrane proteins.