Repurposing the Dihydropyridine Calcium Channel Inhibitor Nicardipine as a Na1.8 Inhibitor In Vivo for Pitt Hopkins Syndrome.

Purpose: Individuals with the rare genetic disorder Pitt Hopkins Syndrome (PTHS) do not have sufficient expression of the transcription factor 4 (TCF4) which is located on chromosome 18. TCF4 is a basic helix-loop-helix E protein that is critical for the normal development of the nervous system and the brain in humans. PTHS patients lacking sufficient TCF4 frequently display gastrointestinal issues, intellectual disability and breathing problems.