Grant: Project Grant

Current estimates suggest over 1 in 50 people in Canada are living with autism or schizophrenia, neuropsychiatric disorders with a strong genetic component. Disruptions in one copy of a gene called NRXN1 increase the risk of developing both autism and schizophrenia. NRXN1 functions at connections between brain cells, in controlling the transfer of chemical and electrical signals through brain circuits. One goal of this research is to understand the changes that occur at connections between brain cells when one copy of NRXN1 is disrupted. A second goal is to test a potential therapeutic approach boosting the function of the remaining copy of NRXN1. The novel therapeutic approach will change the balance of natural modifications of NRXN1, specific sugar chains or cassettes, which regulate its function. Connections between brain cells with altered NRXN1 will be assessed using structural imaging, electrical recordings, and newly developed methods to determine their biochemical composition. Ultimately, a potential therapeutic to emerge from this research could impact individuals with autism or schizophrenia who have disruptions in NRXN1 or genes in a connected pathway.