Role of Calcium and Membrane Potential in Neural Function

. What happens to the mitochondrial membrane potential in HD patients? Why might that lead to a change in the membrane’s ability to release calcium into the cytoplasm?

. What kinds of effects might the altered intracellular calcium level have on the cell itself?

. What is excitotoxicity, and how is it related to calcium levels? What role might this play in neurodegeneration?

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The mitochondria membrane potential for people suffering from Huntington Disease is very different from the other people. These people’s lymphoblast mitochondria have a lower membrane potential compared to the normal people’s.  This makes the lower membrane potential of these people to depolarize at lower calcium loads than those of the people who do not have that condition…

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