Targeting calciumopathy for neuroprotection: focus on calcium channels Cav1, Orai1 and P2X7.

As the uncontrolled entry of calcium ions (Ca) through plasmalemmal calcium channels is a cell death trigger, the conjecture is here raised that mitigating such an excess of Ca entry should rescue from death the vulnerable neurons in neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs). However, this supposition has failed in some clinical trials (CTs). Thus, a recent CT tested whether isradipine, a blocker of the Cav1 subtype of voltage-operated calcium channels (VOCCs), exerted a benefit in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD); however, outcomes were negative.