The small conductance Ca-activated K channel activator GW542573X impairs hippocampal memory in C57BL/6J mice.

Small conductance Ca-activated K (SK) channels, expressed throughout the CNS, are comprised of SK1, SK2 and SK3 subunits, assembled as homotetrameric or heterotetrameric proteins. SK channels expressed somatically modulate the excitability of neurons by mediating the medium component of the afterhyperpolarization. Synaptic SK channels shape excitatory postsynaptic potentials and synaptic plasticity.