Lrfn2-Mutant Mice Display Suppressed Synaptic Plasticity and Inhibitory Synapse Development and Abnormal Social Communication and Startle Response

Journal:
Journal of Neuroscience
Published:
DOI:
10.1523/jneurosci.3321-17.2018
Affiliations:
8
Authors:
16
Go to article

Research Highlight

Synaptic changes explain genetic link to psychiatric disease

© KTSDESIGN/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/Getty

A mouse study has revealed how a mutant gene linked to autism and other neuropsychiatric disorders alters synaptic activity in the brain.

Synaptic adhesion molecules regulate the development and function of synapses, which in turn govern the functions of neural circuits and the brain.

Now, a team led by researchers from the Institute for Basic Sciences created mice deficient in Lrfn2, a gene that encodes a synaptic adhesion molecule. These mice showed changes in both inhibitory and excitatory synaptic function, and displayed abnormal behaviours connected to social communication and startled responses.

The human version of Lrfn2 has been implicated in autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia, working memory deficits and antisocial personality disorders. The findings reveal some of the neural impairments that likely underpin these neuropsychiatric problems — and suggest pathways that could be targeted therapeutically to correct synaptic defects.

Supported content

References

  1. Journal of Neuroscience 38, 5872–5887 (2018). doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3321-17.2018
Institutions Authors Share
Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), South Korea
4.500000
 0.28
Division of Life Sciences, IBS, South Korea
3.500000
 0.22
Kyungpook National University (KNU), South Korea
2.000000
 0.13
Seoul National University (SNU), South Korea
2.000000
 0.13
Korea University College of Medicine, South Korea
2.000000
 0.13
Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), South Korea
2.000000
 0.13