A recent study led by Prof. Joris de Wit from VIB-KU Leuven and colleagues sheds light on the role of specific brain cells, known as layer 5 pyramidal neurons, in processing information and how differences between two types of these cells may contribute to the vulnerability to conditions such as autism and schizophrenia.
Layer 5 pyramidal neurons play a crucial role in integrating and distributing information within the brain’s neural circuits. These neurons serve as relay hubs, transmitting signals from various sources to their appropriate destinations. In the new study, the team explored the synapses—the junctions where these brain cells exchange chemical signals—of two types of layer 5 neurons: intratelencephalic (IT) neurons and pyramidal tract (PT) neurons. The two types of neurons have distinct roles in information processing, and the researchers aimed to understand how these differences might impact their function and potential susceptibility to neurodevelopmental disorders.
Using a specialized technique called proteomics, the research team profiled the synaptic proteins of these neurons. While both IT and PT neurons shared certain synaptic proteins, they also exhibited unique features that may influence their functions and their vulnerability to conditions like autism and schizophrenia. Collaborating with proteomics expert Prof. Andy Howden from the University of Dundee, UK, the researchers found that the synapses of IT neurons displayed characteristics that could make them more susceptible to autism-related traits.
“Mapping the synaptic protein composition of layer 5 neurons is a critical step in understanding how these neurons are integrated into neural circuits and how neurodevelopmental disorders may impact this process,” said Prof. de Wit. The study’s findings suggest that IT neurons’ synapses may be more vulnerable to autism. Building on these results, Prof. de Wit’s team, with support from the Simons Foundation, will investigate whether autism risk genes influence the wiring and information processing of these neurons in future studies.
You Might Be Interested In:
-
Study Reveals Depression Trends in Community-Dwelling Older Adults
-
Sleep Deprivation Impairs Brain’s Ability to Suppress Unwanted Memories
-
Early Bilateral Oophorectomy Tied to Elevated Alzheimer’s Disease Risk in Women
