Department

neurology

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Calcium is essential for both neurotransmitter release and muscle contraction. Given these important physiological processes, it seems reasonable to assume that hypocalcemia may lead to reduced neuromuscular excitability. Counterintuitively, however, clinical observation has frequently documented hypocalcemia€™s role in induction of seizures and general excitability processes such as tetany, Chvostek€™s sign, and bronchospasm. The mechanism of this calcium paradox remains elusive, and very few pathophysiological studies have addressed this conundrum. Nevertheless, several studies primarily addressing other biophysical issues have provided some clues. In this review, we analyze the data of these studies and propose an integrative model to explain this hypocalcemic paradox.

Medical Subject Headings

neurology

Publication Date

2015

Publication Title

ASN Neuro

ISSN

1759-0914

Volume

7

Issue

2

First Page

1

Last Page

9

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1177/1759091415578050

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