CORTEX conference by Cécile Charrier

The synapse is a multi-molecular nanoscale machine, which transfers, integrates and stores information in brain circuits. It is at the heart of all behaviors and cognitive abilities. A large body of evidence indicates that synapses specialized in humans. Here, Cécile Charrier will present her recent work on human-specific genes and molecular pathways linked to human evolution. Investigating these pathways informs us on the fundamental mechanisms of synaptic development, what differs in human neurons, and what could go wrong in neurodevelopmental disorders.