Faculty

Physiology

Synapse formation and plasticity as the basis of higher brain functions and neuropsychiatric disorders

Synapses are not only formed during development, but also continuously modified according to neuronal activities throughout adulthood. Synaptic plasticity is believed to be the basis of all higher brain functions, including learning and memory. Moreover, recent genetic studies have revealed that many neuropsychiatric disorders are caused by defects in genes encoding synaptic molecules. Thus, we aim to understand mechanisms by which synapses are formed, maintained and eliminated by neuronal activities using electrophysiological, molecular biological, and behavioral approaches.