The critical role of ASD-related gene CNTNAP3 in regulating synaptic development and social behavior in mice

HERG (human-ether-a-go-go-related gene) encodes for a cardiac potassium channel that plays a critical role in defining ventricular repolarization. Noncardiovascular drugs associated with a rare but potentially lethal ventricular arrhythmia (Torsades de Pointes) have been linked to delayed cardiac repolarization and block of hERG current. This brief overview will discuss the role of hERG current in cardiac electrophysiology, its involvement in drug-induced delayed repolarization, and approaches used to define drug effects on hERG current. In addition, examples of hERG blocking drugs acting differently (i.e., overt and covert hERG blockade due to multichannel block) together with the utility and limitations of hERG assays as tools to predict the risk of delayed repolarization and proarrhythmia are discussed.

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Critical role of neuropeptides B/W receptor 1 signaling in social behavior and fear memory

Neuroscience Research ◽

10.1016/j.neures.2011.07.1693 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 71 ◽

pp. e386

Author(s):

Ruby Kuroiwa ◽

Naoki Furutani ◽

Junko Hara ◽

Mari Hondo ◽

Makoto Ishii ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Behavior ◽

Critical Role ◽

Fear Memory

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Critical Role of Neuropeptides B/W Receptor 1 Signaling in Social Behavior and Fear Memory

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0016972 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. e16972 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Ruby Nagata-Kuroiwa ◽

Naoki Furutani ◽

Junko Hara ◽

Mari Hondo ◽

Makoto Ishii ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Behavior ◽

Critical Role ◽

Fear Memory

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Microglia: An Active Player in the Regulation of Synaptic Activity

Neural Plasticity ◽

10.1155/2013/627325 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 2013 ◽

pp. 1-9 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

Kyungmin Ji ◽

Jeremy Miyauchi ◽

Stella E. Tsirka

Keyword(s):

Central Nervous System ◽

Critical Role ◽

Innate Immune ◽

Synaptic Activity ◽

Cell Type ◽

Synaptic Development ◽

Active Player ◽

The Central Nervous System ◽

Shed Light

Synaptic plasticity is critical for elaboration and adaptation in the developing and developed brain. It is well established that astrocytes play an important role in the maintenance of what has been dubbed “the tripartite synapse”. Increasing evidence shows that a fourth cell type, microglia, is critical to this maintenance as well. Microglia are the resident macrophages of the central nervous system (CNS). Because of their well-characterized inflammatory functions, research has primarily focused on their innate immune properties. The role of microglia in the maintenance of synapses in development and in homeostasis is not as well defined. A number of significant findings have shed light on the critical role of microglia at the synapse. It is becoming increasingly clear that microglia play a seminal role in proper synaptic development and elimination.

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The Role of the SLP in Autism Spectrum Disorder Screening and Assessment

Perspectives on Language Learning and Education ◽

10.1044/lle15.2.50 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 15 (2) ◽

pp. 50-59 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Amy Philofsky

Keyword(s):

Language Development ◽

Critical Role ◽

Children With Autism ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Children With Asd ◽

Prevalence Estimates ◽

Notable Increase ◽

Screening Assessment ◽

Critical Components

AbstractRecent prevalence estimates for autism have been alarming as a function of the notable increase. Speech-language pathologists play a critical role in screening, assessment and intervention for children with autism. This article reviews signs that may be indicative of autism at different stages of language development, and discusses the importance of several psychometric properties—sensitivity and specificity—in utilizing screening measures for children with autism. Critical components of assessment for children with autism are reviewed. This article concludes with examples of intervention targets for children with ASD at various levels of language development.

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