Short-lived connections in the mouse brain play a crucial role in shaping sensory circuits, impacting the mouse’s sense of touch permanently. Scientists have discovered that a protein called mGluR1 helps regulate the timing of these temporary connections, shedding light on the origins of neurodevelopmental disorders and potential new treatments.
Brain development involves a constant process of creating and eliminating neural connections. Failure to do so correctly can lead to conditions like autism. Dr. Gabrielle Pouchelon from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory focuses on understanding early brain wiring to uncover the roots of various brain disorders and explore innovative treatment approaches.
In a recent study, Dr. Pouchelon’s team delves into the process of pruning, where the brain eliminates unnecessary neuron connections. While long-term pruning is well-studied, the team explores the removal of early connections to pave the way for lasting circuits in the mature brain. These temporary connections may play a vital role in shaping developing brain circuits.
The research reveals that the receptor protein mGluR1 helps regulate the timing of these temporary connections in the mouse brain. Without mGluR1, neural connections persist longer than necessary in the brain region responsible for touch processing through whiskers. This disruption in sensory circuit maturation results in abnormal behaviors in mice, such as not standing on hind legs or exploring like typical mice.
Crucially, this key step in circuit development occurs during the first week after birth. Dr. Pouchelon notes that the receptor functions differently in early stages compared to adulthood. Understanding these differences can lead to more effective treatments for neurodevelopmental disorders at various developmental stages.
The team aims to use this discovery as a roadmap for developing early therapeutic interventions for brain dysfunction. By understanding the brain’s maturation process, they hope to intervene early to prevent neurological disorder symptoms like autism from manifesting. This approach could potentially make life easier for many young individuals facing neurological challenges.
