Is a Human Heart like a Mouse Heart? (IMAGE)

Washington University in St. Louis

Is a Human Heart like a Mouse Heart?

Caption

Two recent research studies have found differences between the distribution of potassium-ion-channel variants in the mouse heart and in the human heart. In the mouse, the ion channels in the atria are different from those in the ventricles. In humans there is no such chamber specificity. The difference is crucially important for the development of safe and effective cardiovascular drugs.

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NIH

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