Calcium plays a fundamental role in various signaling pathways and cellular processes in the human organism. In the nervous system, voltage-gated calcium channels such as L-type calcium channels (LTCCs) are critical elements in mediating neurotransmitter release, synaptic integration and plasticity. Dysfunction of LTCCs has been implicated in both aging and Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), constituting a key component of calcium hypothesis of AD. As such, LTCCs are a promising drug target in AD. However, due to their structural and functional complexity, the mechanisms by which LTCCs contribute to AD are still unclear. In this review, we briefly summarize the structure, function, and modulation of LTCCs that are the backbone for understanding pathological processes involving LTCCs. We suggest targeting molecular pathways up-regulating LTCCs in AD may be a more promising approach, given the diverse physiological functions of LTCCs and the ineffectiveness of LTCC blockers in clinical studies.

钙在人体机体的各种信号通路和细胞过程中起着重要作用。在神经系统中，电压门控钙通道如 L 型钙通道 (LTCC) 是调节神经递质释放、突触整合和可塑性的关键因素。LTCC 的功能障碍与衰老和阿尔茨海默氏病 (AD) 有关，构成了 AD 钙假说的关键组成部分。因此，LTCC 是 AD 中有前途的药物靶点。然而，由于其结构和功能的复杂性，LTCC 导致 AD 的机制仍不清楚。在这篇综述中，我们简要总结了 LTCC 的结构、功能和调节，它们是理解涉及 LTCC 的病理过程的支柱。