RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Neuroprotective Properties of 4-Aminopyridine JF Neurology - Neuroimmunology Neuroinflammation JO Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm FD Lippincott Williams & Wilkins SP e976 DO 10.1212/NXI.0000000000000976 VO 8 IS 3 A1 Dietrich, Michael A1 Hartung, Hans-Peter A1 Albrecht, Philipp YR 2021 UL http://nn.neurology.org/content/8/3/e976.abstract AB As an antagonist of voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channels, 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) is used as symptomatic therapy in several neurologic disorders. The improvement of visual function and motor skills and relieve of fatigue in patients with MS have been attributed to 4-AP. Its prolonged release formulation (fampridine) has been approved for the symptomatic treatment of walking disability in MS. The beneficial effects were explained by the blockade of axonal Kv channels, thereby enhancing conduction along demyelinated axons. However, an increasing body of evidence suggests that 4-AP may have additional properties beyond the symptomatic mode of action. In this review, we summarize preclinical and clinical data on possible neuroprotective features of 4-AP.3,4-DAP=3,4-diaminopyridine; 4-AP=4-aminopyridine; BDNF=brain-derived neurotrophic factor; EAE=experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis; EAEON=experimental optic neuritis; EMA=European Medicines Agency; Kv channel=voltage-gated potassium channel; MN=motor neuron; MOG=myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein; MSWS-12=12-Item Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale; NFAT=nuclear factor of activated T-cells; OCT=optical coherence tomography; PGIC=Patient Global Impression of Change; SR-4-AP=sustained-release formulation of 4-AP; T25FW=Timed 25 Foot Walk Test; TUG=Timed Up and Go