Schizophrenia’s genetic architecture sits awkwardly between neurons and the immune system. A 2026 CRISPR screen of 30 schizophrenia-associated genes in human microglia-like cells found that several risk genes meaningfully alter how microglia engulf synaptic material, supporting the synaptic-pruning model at the functional gene level.1 Research Highlights 30 schizophrenia risk genes were knocked out one by …
Synapses are considered connections between neurons (brain cells) that foster neuronal communication. The word “synapse” is derived from the Greek term “synapsis” which roughly translates to “conjunction.” Your brain cells communicate with other cells by sending chemical messages in the form of neurotransmitters or electrical signals; these are transmitted via the synapses. If you have …
It is widely debated as to which age the brain is considered “fully mature” or developed. In the past, many experts believed that the brain may have been done developing in the mid to late teens. Then along came some evidence to suggest that development may last until at least age 20. These days, a …