Syngap1 regulates experience-dependent cortical ensemble plasticity by promoting in vivo excitatory synapse strengthening.

ABSTRACT: A significant proportion of autism risk genes regulate synapse function, including plasticity, which is believed to contribute to behavioral abnormalities. However, it remains unclear how impaired synapse plasticity contributes to network-level processes linked to adaptive behaviors, such as experience-dependent ensemble plasticity. We found that Syngap1, a major autism risk gene, promoted measures of experience-dependent excitatory synapse strengthening in the mouse cortex, including spike-timing-dependent glutamatergic synaptic potentiation and presynaptic bouton formation. Synaptic depression and bouton elimination were normal in Syngap1 mice. Within cortical networks, Syngap1 promoted experience-dependent increases in somatic neural activity in weakly active neurons. In contrast, plast

SUBMITTER: Llamosas N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8403968 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature