title: Balance within the Neurexin Trans-Synaptic Connexus Stabilizes Behavioral Control.
abstract: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by a broad spectrum of behavioral deficits of unknown etiology. ASD associated mutations implicate numerous neurological pathways including a common association with the neurexin trans-synaptic connexus (NTSC) which regulates neuronal cell-adhesion, neuronal circuitry, and neurotransmission. Comparable DNA lesions affecting the NTSC, however, associate with a diversity of behavioral deficits within and without the autism spectrum including a very strong association with Tourette syndrome. The NTSC is comprised of numerous post-synaptic ligands competing for trans-synaptic connection with one of the many different neurexin receptors yet no apparent association exists between specific NTSC molecules/complexes and specific behavioral deficits. Together these findings indicate a fundamental role for NTSC-balance in stabilizing pre-behavioral control. Further molecular and clinical characterization and stratification of ASD and TS on the basis of NTSC status will help elucidate the molecular basis of behavior - and define how the NTSC functions in combination with other molecular determinates to strengthen behavioral control and specify behavioral deficits.
authors.affiliation: Ingham Institute, School of Medicine, University of Western Sydney , Sydney, NSW , Australia.
authors.forename: Raymond A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Clarke
authors.affiliation: School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales & Academic Unit of Child Psychiatry, South West Sydney (AUCS), Liverpool Hospital , Sydney, NSW , Australia.
authors.forename: Valsamma
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Eapen
keywords: Autism; CBLN; GRID; LRRN; LRRTM; NLGN; Tourette; neurexin