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DCC

·October 31, 2025·7 min read

How “Frazzled” Keeps the Brain Wired for Lightning-Fast Communication

Scientists have uncovered a key role for the protein “Frazzled” in building and maintaining the rapid neural connections that allow fruit flies to react in milliseconds. When Frazzled is missing, neurons lose vital gap junctions, slowing communication and weakening muscle responses.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·December 14, 2022·3 min read

Four Genes Identified as Heightening Risk of Suicidal Thoughts and Actions

Researchers have identified four genes, ESR1, DCC, DRD2, and TRAF3, that are associated with an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and actions.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·September 22, 2022·4 min read

A New Understanding of the Neurobiology of Impulsivity

A new genetically based scoring model can accurately detect children most at risk of developing impulsive behaviors.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·March 9, 2020·7 min read

The largest genetic map of psychiatric disorders so far

The largest genetic map of mental health disorders to date reveals there are three groups of highly genetically related disorders among eight psychiatric disorders. A gene related to nervous system development is a risk factor for all eight disorders studied. The RBFOX1 gene is implicated in seven of the eight disorders. ADHD and depression share 44% of genetic risk factors common in the general population. 109 pleiotropic loci affect more than one disorder. These pleiotropic loci are within genes that show heightened expression in the brain through the lifespan, beginning during the second trimester of pregnancy.

Featured Neurology Neuroscience

·March 14, 2017·5 min read

Discovery of Developmental Split Brain Syndrome

Researchers have identified a new syndrome caused by mutations in the DCC gene which can lead to a range of disabilities.

This image shows how Netrin-1 molecules (blue and green) bind to two neogenin molecules (magenta and orange).

Electrophysiology Featured Neuroscience

·May 30, 2014·3 min read

Research Details How Developing Neurons Sense a Chemical Cue

Researchers delve into the details of molecular interactions which help guide neurons towards their anatomical boundaries.

Featured Open Neuroscience Articles Psychology

·December 17, 2013·3 min read

Discovery of “Teen Gene” Could Hold Promise for Combating Severe Mental Illnesses

Researchers isolate a gene responsible for dopamine connectivity in the medial prefrontal cortex during adolescence.

The image shows a synaptic cleft. The caption best describes the image.

Featured Neuroscience

·February 4, 2013·4 min read

Finding the Way to Memory

A new study reveals DCC, the receptor for a crucial protein in the nervous system known as netrin, plays a key role in regulating the plasticity of nerve cell connections in the brain.