Synaptic proteins

What are synaptic proteins?

Neurons are capable of generating complex patterns of synaptic interconnectivity which are regulated by proteins that are distributed in subcellular compartments of the synapse. Presynaptic compartment injury (e.g. via direct trauma, neurotoxins, viruses, ischemia, or metabolic disorders) and/or disrupted production of neurotrophic factors, contribute to subsequent degeneration of the postsynaptic compartment. These disruptions can in turn alter protein levels.

What is the evidence for synaptic protein dysfunction?

Moderate to high quality evidence suggests medium-sized reductions of the synaptic protein synaptophysin in the hippocampus, frontal and cingulate brain regions of people with schizophrenia. No differences between schizophrenia and controls have been found in reviews of synaptophsin in the occipital or temporal cortices, nor in reviews of SNAP-25, PSD-95, syntaxin or VAMP in the frontal lobes.

October 2020

Last updated at: 12:13 am, 30th October 2020
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Fact Sheet Technical Commentary

NeuRA Libraries

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