Study pinpoints autism-linked protein for sculpting brain connections

Shortly after birth, human brains expand rapidly with the experience of an entirely new world. During this period, neurons in the brain compete with one another to form lasting connections, called synapses. A new study provides a close-up of synapse refinement and identifies a protein that is crucial in this process. Disruptions in the protein, called hevin, have previously been linked to autism, depression and suicide.