Synaptopathies: synaptic dysfunction in neurological disorders – A review from students to students

Katarzyna Lepeta, Mychael V. Lourenco, Barbara C. Schweitzer, Pamela V. Martino Adami, Priyanjalee Banerjee, Silvina Catuara‐Solarz, Mario de La Fuente Revenga, Alain Marc Guillem, Mouna Haidar, Omamuyovwi M. Ijomone, Bettina Nadorp, Lin Qi, Nirma D. Perera, Louise K. Refsgaard, Kimberley M. Reid, Mariam Sabbar, Arghyadip Sahoo, Natascha Schaefer, Rebecca K. Sheean, Anna Suska, Rajkumar Verma, Cinzia Vicidomini, Dean Wright, Xing‐Ding Zhang, Constanze Seidenbecher

Synapses are essential components of neurons and allow information to travel coordinately throughout the nervous system in order to adjust behavior to environmental stimuli and to control body functions, memories and emotions.. Thus, optimal synaptic communication is required for proper brain physiology, and slight perturbations of synapse function can lead to brain disorders. In fact, increasing evidence has demonstrated the relevance of synapse dysfunction as a major determinant of many neurological diseases. This notion has led to the concept of synaptopathies as brain diseases with synapse defects as shared pathogenic features. In this review, which was initiated at the 13(th) International Society for Neurochemistry (ISN) Advanced School, we discuss basic concepts of synapse structure and function, and provide a critical view of how aberrant synapse physiology may contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders (autism, Down syndrome, startle disease and epilepsy) as well as neurodegenerative disorders (Alzheimer, and Parkinson diseases). We finally discuss the appropriateness and potential implications of gathering synapse diseases under a single term. Understanding common causes and intrinsic differences in disease-associated synaptic dysfunction could offer novel clues towards synapse-based therapeutic intervention for neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.