Paralisia Periódica Hipocalêmica Tipo 1: Envolvimento dos Canais de Cálcio Dependentes de Voltagem

Hypokalemic periodic paralysis is a neuromuscular disease, autosomal dominant disorder characterized by episodic attacks of flaccid paraly sis accompanied by hypokalemia. Mutations in calcium channels operated by voltage (Cav) cause hypokalemic periodic paralysis type 1, this, with the electrical activity of muscle reduced or absent during the attacks, probably due to a failure in excitation-contraction. Possibly it may be involved sensitive potassium channel to ATP. Symptoms usually begin in this first or second decade of life. Objective. The objective of this review is to analyze the function of ion channels in the pathophysiology of hypokalemic periodic paralysis type 1. Method. It was a work of literature review. We used published books and articles in the database PubMed, Science Direct and Scielo in both Portuguese and English. Results. We selected 36 works, including 34 scientific articles and 02 books. Conclusion. Despite considerable progress, is still poorly understood pathophysiology of mutant genes in muscle channelopathies, such as periodic paralysis, making it necessary to direct efforts not only to detect new genes and new mutations that cause, but also for its pathophysiologic consequences. The elucidation of the precise pathophysiology is needed to open new perspectives for future therapeutic approaches.