2019 Grant Recipient – Zin-Juan Klaft

GluN2D – dependent maturation of cortical interneurons and epilepsy – co-funded with the American Epilepsy Society

Dr. Zin-Juan Klaft, PhD

Tufts University

Results:

Coming soon

Tonic Activation of GluN2C/GluN2D-Containing NMDA Receptors by Ambient Glutamate Facilitates Cortical Interneuron Maturation

Lay Abstract:

Impaired cortical inhibition occurs in many difficult-to-treat epilepsies and can originate from developmental disruptions of inhibitory circuit maturation. Recently, human GluN2D mutations were shown to cause severe epileptic encephalopathies. Based on previous data and clinical studies, disturbing early-life GluN2D signaling may lead to dysfunctional cortical inhibition and epilepsy. With further testing, we seek to determine how these signal disturbances contribute to epilepsy.