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Mutations in genes encoding chromatin modifiers are enriched among mutations causing intellectual disability. The continuing development of the brain postnatally, coupled with the inherent reversibility of chromatin modifications, may afford an opportunity for therapeutic intervention following a genetic diagnosis. Development of treatments requires an understanding of protein function and models of the disease. Here, we provide a mouse model of Say-Barber- Biesecker-Young-Simpson syndrome (SBBYSS) (OMIM 603736) and demonstrate proof-of-principle efficacy of postnatal treatment. SBBYSS results from heterozygous mutations in the KAT6B (MYST4/MORF/QFK) gene and is characterized by intellectual disability and autism-like behaviors. Using human cells carrying SBBYSS-specific KAT6B mutations and Kat6b heterozygous mice ([Kat6b.sup.-/-]), we showed that KAT6B deficiency caused a reduction in histone H3 lysine 9 acetylation. Kat6b mice displayed learning, memory, and social deficits, mirroring SBBYSS individuals. Treatment with a histone deacetylase inhibitor, valproic acid, or an acetyl donor, acetyL-carnitine (ALCAR), elevated histone acetylation levels in the human cells with SBBYSS mutations and in brain and blood cells of [Kat6b.sup.-/-] mice and partially reversed gene expression changes in [Kat6b.sup.-/-] cortical neurons. Both compounds improved sociability in Kat6b mice, and ALCAR treatment restored learning and memory. These data suggest that a subset of SBBYSS individuals may benefit from postnatal therapeutic interventions., Introduction Heterozygous mutations in the gene encoding the MYST family histone acetyltransferase, KAT6B, underlie 2 main intellectual disability disorders: the Say-Barber-Biesecker-Young-Simpson variant of Ohdo syndrome (SBBYSS) (OMIM 603736) (1) and [...]

As neuroscience projects increase in scale and cross international borders, different ethical principles, national and international laws, regulations, and policies for data sharing must be considered. These concerns are part of what is collectively called data governance. Whereas neuroscience data transcend borders, data governance is typically constrained within geopolitical boundaries. An international data governance framework and accompanying infrastructure can assist investigators, institutions, data repositories, and funders with navigating disparate policies. Here, we propose principles and operational considerations for how data governance in neuroscience can be navigated at an international scale and highlight gaps, challenges, and opportunities in a global brain data ecosystem. We consider how to approach data governance in a way that balances data protection requirements and the need for open science, so as to promote international collaboration through federated constructs such as the International Brain Initiative (IBI).

Börjeson-Forssman-Lehmann syndrome (BFLS) is an X-linked intellectual disability and endocrine disorder caused by pathogenic variants of plant homeodomain finger gene 6 (PHF6). An understanding of the role of PHF6 in vivo in the development of the mammalian nervous system is required to advance our knowledge of how PHF6 mutations cause BFLS. Here, we show that PHF6 protein levels are greatly reduced in cells derived from a subset of patients with BFLS. We report the phenotypic, anatomical, cellular and molecular characterization of the brain in males and females in two mouse models of BFLS, namely loss of Phf6 in the germline and nervous system-specific deletion of Phf6. We show that loss of PHF6 resulted in spontaneous seizures occurring via a neural intrinsic mechanism. Histological and morphological analysis revealed a significant enlargement of the lateral ventricles in adult Phf6-deficient mice, while other brain structures and cortical lamination were normal. Phf6 deficient neural precursor cells showed a reduced capacity for self-renewal and increased differentiation into neurons. Phf6 deficient cortical neurons commenced spontaneous neuronal activity prematurely suggesting precocious neuronal maturation. We show that loss of PHF6 in the foetal cortex and isolated cortical neurons predominantly caused upregulation of genes, including Reln, Nr4a2, Slc12a5, Phip and ZIC family transcription factor genes, involved in neural development and function, providing insight into the molecular effects of loss of PHF6 in the developing brain. Author summary: The Börjeson-Forssman-Lehmann Syndrome (BFLS) is an intellectual disability and endocrine disorder. Mutations in the plant homeodomain finger 6 gene (PHF6) cause the disorder. We show here that a subset of BFLS patients lack PHF6 and report the effects of loss of PHF6 in an animal model with complete loss of PHF6 from conception. The cerebral cortex is the site of higher brain functions, including cognition and decision-making. We report here the effects of lack of PHF6 on the developing brain, cerebral cortex and neuronal cells isolated from this structure. Since PHF6 associates with the genetic material in the cell nucleus and has been proposed to regulate gene activity, we also report the effects of lack of PHF6 on gene expression in the cerebral cortex and purified neuronal cells. We observed that loss of PHF6 results in the dysregulation of neuronal development and differentiation genes, including genes involved in disorders such as Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, neuroblastoma, attention deficit disorder, autism and schizophrenia. Lastly, we report that mice lacking PHF6 mirror BFLS patients in that they also suffer from spontaneous epileptic seizures. Our mouse models and findings will be useful to further investigate BFLS neuronal function and other aspects of the disorder in the adult. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psilocybin is the main psychoactive compound found in hallucinogenic/magic mushrooms and can bind to both serotonergic and tropomyosin receptor kinase b (TrkB) receptors. Psilocybin has begun to show efficacy for a range of neuropsychiatric conditions, including treatment‐resistant depression and anxiety disorders; however, neurobiological mechanisms are still being elucidated. Clinical research has found that psilocybin can alter functional connectivity patterns in human brains, which is often associated with therapeutic outcomes. However, preclinical research affords the opportunity to assess the potential cellular mechanisms by which psilocybin may exert its therapeutic effects. Preclinical rodent models can also facilitate a more tightly controlled experimental context and minimise placebo effects. Furthermore, where there is a rationale, preclinical researchers can investigate psilocybin administration in neuropsychiatric conditions that have not yet been researched clinically. As a result, we have systematically reviewed the knowledge base, identifying 82 preclinical studies which were screened based on specific criteria. This resulted in the exclusion of 44 articles, with 34 articles being included in the main review and another 2 articles included as Supporting Information materials. We found that psilocybin shows promise as a lead candidate molecule for treating a variety of neuropsychiatric conditions, albeit showing the most efficacy for depression. We discuss the experimental findings, and identify possible mechanisms whereby psilocybin could invoke therapeutic changes. Furthermore, we critically evaluate the between‐study heterogeneity and possible future research avenues. Our review suggests that preclinical rodent models can provide valid and translatable tools for researching novel psilocybin‐induced molecular and cellular mechanisms, and therapeutic outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]