INHIBITOR OF NEURONAL CONNECTIVITY LINKED TO SCHIZOPHRENIA SUSCEPTIBILITY AND COGNITIVE DYSFUNCTION

摘要

The disclosure relates to methods and compositions for enhancing neuronal connectivity. It is based, at least in part, on identifying a protein, termed "Mirta22", that inhibits the formation of structures which create connections between neurons. It is further based, in part, on identifying that inhibiting Mirta22 activity by short hairpin RNA was able to restore these structures. Mirta22 was identified in experiments relating to 22ql1 microdeletions, which have been linked to schizophrenia. Accordingly, the disclosure provides methods of treating schizophrenia comprising administering an agent that inhibits Mirta22 activity. It may also be used in the treatment of other disorders that would benefit from enhanced neural connectivity, including learning and memory disorders.