KCNA3 and Melnick-Needles syndrome: Recently, other functions of potassium channels have been reported, suggesting they modulate cellular Ca2+ metabolism,33,34 lipid metabolism,36 apoptosis39 and neuron–microglia interactions.40 Our data now reveal that an experimental reduction in the expression of the silent Kv8.1 subunit increases MN vulnerability and that vulnerable amyotrophic lateral sclerosis MNs have a reduction in Kv8.1 expression.