Table 1.

The distribution, physiological function, and possible roles of voltage-dependent calcium channels (VDCCs) in the pathological process of epilepsy.

VDCCs	Physiological Function	Possible Roles in Pathological Process of Epilepsy
L-Type	Shape neuronal firing and activate Ca2+-dependent pathways involved in the control of gene expression, and support neuronal plasticity [47]	Control neuronal excitability and likely provide the gene basis of epileptogenesis through regulation of gene expression
P/Q-Type	Regulate neurotransmitter release [49,50]	Inhibit epileptogenesis based on the fact that its null mutation can cause the occurrence of absence epilepsy
N-Type	Regulate neurotransmitter release [51,52]	Inhibit neuronal excitability through fast redistribution in the subcellullar organs of neurons
R-Type	Regulate long-term potentiation (LTP) and neurotransmitter release [53,54]	Trigger epileptiform activity in neuronal populations and promote epileptogenesis
T-Type	Regulate rhythmic firing of neurons [45]	Control burst firing of action potentials of neurons, and the plasticity of neurons induced by epiletogenic factors and promote the formation of epileptogenic focus