yuji son

yuji son

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

1Year (2026-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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1 May 2026 in Molecules
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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KHKyu-Seok Hwang
Kyu-Seok Hwang
SASe Hwan Ahn
Se Hwan Ahn
YSyuji son
yuji son
SKSeong Soon Kim
Seong Soon Kim
DSDae-Seop Shin
Dae-Seop Shin
MBMyung Ae Bae
Myung Ae Bae
Dravet syndrome (DS) is a severe, catastrophic childhood epilepsy predominantly caused by loss-of-function mutations in the SCN1A gene, which encodes the voltage-gated sodium channel Nav1.1. In this study, we evaluated the therapeutic potential of 5-(Benzofuran-2-yl)-3-(2-chloro-4-fluorobenzyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2(3H)-one (GM-90663), a novel small molecule designed to address the complex pathophysiology of DS. Using scn1lab knockout (KO) zebrafish larvae—a robust vertebrate model for DS—we demonstrated that GM-90663 significantly alleviates seizure-like behavioral movements and rescues deficit in cognitive-like functions. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings in hippocampal slices revealed that GM-90663 modulates voltage-gated Na+ channel kinetics; specifically, it suppresses slow ramp-induced currents, thereby effectively attenuating neuronal hyperexcitability. Furthermore, neurochemical profiling indicated that GM-90663 treatment leads to a marked increase in endogenous serotonin (5-HT) levels in both wild-type and KO larvae. Molecular docking simulations and subsequent in vitro enzymatic assays confirmed that this elevation in serotonin is mediated through the potent inhibition of monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity. Collectively, our findings suggest that GM-90663 exerts its anti-seizure effects through a synergistic dual mechanism—stabilizing sodium channel conductance and elevating serotonergic activity—positioning it as a promising multi-target candidate for the treatment of DS.