ABSTRACT
The KCNQ gene family encodes five Kv7 channel sub-units(Kv7. 1-5) and four of these (Kv7. 2-5) channels are ex-pressed in the central nervous system ( CNS ) . Neuronal Kv7 channels participate in both pre-and post-synaptic modulation of neurotransmissions. Activation of neuronal Kv7 channels inhibits neuronal excitability and limits the release of monoaminergic neu-rotransmitter. Kv7 channel openers provide novel therapeutic op-tions in the treatment of disease states characterized by overactiv-ity of monoaminergic neurons ( e. g. schizophrenia, anxiety and drug abuse) . This review summarizes the studies on expression and functional role of Kv7 channels in monoaminergic neurotrans-mission in the CNS and the potential therapeutic effect of Kv7 channel openers on the disease characterized by overactivity of monoaminergic neurons.