Researchers Survey Protein Family That Helps the Brain Form Synapses Neuroscience News March 18, 2014 Featured, Neuroscience Groundbreaking study finds hundreds of variants of neurexin proteins, offering new evidence linking these differences to complex brain functions and disorders like autism. Neuroscientists and bioengineers at Stanford are working together to solve a mystery: How does nature construct the different types of synapses that connect neurons – the brain cells that monitor nerve impulses, control muscles and form thoughts. In a paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Thomas C. Südhof, M.D., a professor of molecular and cellular physiology, and Stephen R. Quake, a professor of bioengineering, describe the diversity of the neurexin family of proteins. Neurexins help to create the synapses that connect neurons. Think of synapses as switchboards or control panels that connect specific neurons when these brain cells must work together to perform a given task. Neurexins play a key role in the formation and functioning of synaptic connections. Past human genetics studies have linked neurexins to a variety of cognitive disorders, such as autism and schizophrenia. Read more:
Posted on: Wed, 19 Mar 2014 07:46:25 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015