ePoster

LOSS OF GFRΑ1 IN MICE REVEALS BEHAVIORAL AND NEURAL SIGNATURES OF NEURODEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS

Delfina Romeroand 7 co-authors

Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencias, Prof. E. de Robertis. Facultad de Cs. Médicas, Universidad de Buenos Aires. CONICET

FENS Forum 2026 (2026)
Barcelona, Spain
Board PS05-09AM-362

Presentation

Date TBA

Board: PS05-09AM-362

Poster preview

LOSS OF GFRΑ1 IN MICE REVEALS BEHAVIORAL AND NEURAL SIGNATURES OF NEURODEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS poster preview

Event Information

Poster Board

PS05-09AM-362

Abstract

During the development of the nervous system, the formation of synaptic circuits is tightly regulated through precise control of axonal and dendritic growth. Neurotrophic factors, such as the "glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor" (GDNF) and its receptor GFRα1, play a pivotal role in dendritic arborization and spine maturation within the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. Evidence from human and rodent studies indicates that alterations in dendritic arborization and spine morphology, key determinants of synaptic connectivity, are hallmarks of neurodevelopmental psychiatric conditions, including schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder and Rett syndrome. Despite these findings, the role of the GDNF/GFRα1 signaling pathway in the maturation and remodeling of forebrain synaptic circuits remains poorly understood. To address this, we have developed a novel conditional mutant mouse line with targeted ablation of GFRα1 (cKO) in selected populations of forebrain neurons. The cKO mice showed several alterations in the hippocampal neuronal architecture and physiological activity; accompanied by cognitive behavioral deficits. This model will allow us to dissect the specific contribution of GDNF/GFRα1 signaling to the development and function of forebrain circuits implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders.

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