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A Role for WNT/β-Catenin Signaling in the Neural Mechanisms of Behavior

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Abstract

Wnt signaling pathways play a role in a variety of cellular processes including development, cell proliferation, cell fate, and motility. The Wnt/β-catenin pathway is among the most studied of the Wnt pathways and is highly conserved throughout evolution. Recent in vitro and slice physiology experiments have shown that this pathway also functions in synaptic transmission and activity-dependent synaptic plasticity. Since it has now been shown that many components of this signaling pathway are found in the adult brain, Wnt/β-catenin signaling may be important for maintaining and protecting neural connections throughout the lifespan. Here we summarize the role of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in the postnatal brain and discuss recent studies suggesting that deregulated Wnt signaling can result in altered behavior and cognitive disorders.

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Acknowledgements

This work was primarily supported by National Institutes Health (MH071537 and DA019624), the Burroughs Wellcome Fund, and the Yerkes Research Center (NIH 2P51RR000165-51).

Financial Disclosure Statement

There were no commercial sponsors or commercial relationships related to the current work. Within the last 3 years, Dr. Ressler has received awards and/or funding support related to other studies from Burroughs Wellcome Foundation, NARSAD, NIMH, NIDA, and is a cofounder of Extinction Pharmaceuticals for use of NMDA-based therapeutics with psychotherapy.

Conflict of Interest

The authors do not declare any conflicts of interest related to this manuscript.

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  1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA

    Kimberly A. Maguschak

  2. Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MA, USA

    Kerry J. Ressler

  3. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University School of Medicine, 954 Gatewood Dr, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA

    Kerry J. Ressler

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Correspondence to Kerry J. Ressler.

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Maguschak, K.A., Ressler, K.J. A Role for WNT/β-Catenin Signaling in the Neural Mechanisms of Behavior. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol 7, 763–773 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11481-012-9350-7

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