Genetic Disorders: The Equine Hyperkalemic Paralysis

There are more than a couple of genetic disorders which disrupt normal functioning of ion channels and have disastrous consequences for the organism and the human being. Genetic disorders of ion channels and their modifiers are known as channelopathies. I am going to discuss only two genetic diseases. The Equine hyperkalemic periodic paralysis as well as human hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (Hyper PP) are caused by a defect in voltage-dependent sodium channels. It is an inherited autosomal dominant disorder that affects sodium channels in muscle cells and the ability to regulate potassium levels in the blood. Gamstorp episodic adynamy. It is characterized by muscle hyper excitability or weakness which, exacerbated by potassium, heat or cold,