Changes in the conductance of several potassium channels, including voltage-gated potassium (Kv1, Kv4) and big Ca2+-activated K+ (BK) channels may be responsiblefor the neuro protective effect of riluzole against 3-AP induced alterations in the firingproperties of Purkinje cells in a rat model of ataxia. The gene discussed is KCNA3; the disease is cerebellar ataxia.