MIT Researchers Identify Gene Mutation Linked to Schizophrenia Cognitive Impairments
Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have identified a gene mutation, grin2a, that disrupts a brain circuit responsible for updating beliefs when new information is received, which may contribute to cognitive impairments in schizophrenia. The study, published in Nature Neuroscience, involved experiments with mice carrying the grin2a mutation. These mice exhibited slower decision-making and difficulty integrating new sensory information, behaviors that are analogous to symptoms seen in schizophrenia. The mutation affects the mediodorsal thalamus, a brain region that connects to the prefrontal cortex, forming a circuit crucial for decision-making and executive control. The researchers demonstrated that activating neurons in this circuit using optogenetics could reverse the behavioral effects of the mutation, suggesting potential new treatment pathways. 
