Study maps gene activity linked to neurotransmission in living brains

Researchers identified a reproducible gene expression program linked to neurotransmission in the living human brain, offering new insight into cognition and behavior.
Unlike past studies using postmortem tissue, this research combined real-time brain activity with gene expression data from over 100 patients undergoing neurosurgery.
The study revealed a coordinated set of genes whose activity directly tracks neuronal signaling in the prefrontal cortex.
Led by Alexander Charney, the work marks a major advance in studying active brain biology.
Findings connect genetic activity with electrical brain function, improving understanding of neural circuits and synaptic processes.
This breakthrough may enhance diagnosis and treatment of disorders like depression, schizophrenia, and epilepsy through more precise, gene-based approaches.