Aquaporins in neurological disorders

Aquaporins (AQPs) are water channel molecules that allow the passage of water through the lipid bilayers of cell membranes. AQP1, AQP4 and AQP9 are expressed in the central nervous system and AQP4 is well known as the target of auto-antibodies in Devic’s neuromyelitis optica. The role of AQPs in facilitating water movements suggests a link with oedema formation and resolution in the brain. Furthermore, AQPs are also involved in process formation in glial cells with a close link to neuroinflammation. This mini-review gives an overview of what is currently known about the role of AQPs in different neurological disorders