Relevance to Autism

Findings in GRM4 knockout mice indicated a function of mGluR4 in maintaining the excitation/inhibition balance, which is of crucial importance for information processing in the brain and the deterioration of these processes in neuropsychological disorders such as autism (Iscru et al., 2013).

Molecular Function

L-glutamate is the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system and activates both ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptors. Glutamatergic neurotransmission is involved in most aspects of normal brain function and can be perturbed in many neuropathologic conditions. This gene encodes a glutamate receptor whose activity is mediated by a G-protein that inhibits adenylate cyclase activity.

External Links

References