| Postsynaptic Densities (PSDs) | |
|---|---|
| Lineage | Neuronal compartment > Postsynaptic specialization |
| Markers | PSD95 (DLG4), NMDA receptor (GRIN1/2A), AMPA receptor (GRIA1/2), mGluR5, Shank3 |
| Brain Regions | Dendritic spines of excitatory neurons |
| Disease Vulnerability | Alzheimer's Disease, Schizophrenia, Autism |
Postsynaptic Densities is an important component in the neurobiology of neurodegenerative diseases. This page provides detailed information about its structure, function, and role in disease processes.
Postsynaptic Densities (PSDs) are a specialized cell type classified within the Neuronal compartment > Postsynaptic specialization lineage. These cells are primarily found in Dendritic spines of excitatory neurons and are characterized by expression of marker genes including PSD95 (DLG4), NMDA receptor (GRIN1/2A), AMPA receptor (GRIA1/2), mGluR5. They are selectively vulnerable in Alzheimer's Disease, Schizophrenia, Autism.
Postsynaptic Densities (PSDs) are identified by the expression of the following key marker genes:
These markers are used for immunohistochemical identification and single-cell RNA sequencing classification, as catalogued in the Allen Cell Type Atlas.
Postsynaptic Densities (PSDs) play essential roles in neural circuits and brain function. They are found in the following brain regions:
Their normal functions include maintaining neural circuit integrity, signal processing, and contributing to the homeostasis of their local microenvironment.
Postsynaptic Densities (PSDs) show selective vulnerability in the following neurodegenerative conditions:
The selective vulnerability of these cells is an active area of research, with factors including metabolic demands, calcium handling, exposure to toxic protein aggregates, and cell-autonomous gene expression programs contributing to their susceptibility.
Single-cell and single-nucleus RNA sequencing studies have revealed the transcriptomic signature of Postsynaptic Densities (PSDs). Key differentially expressed genes from the Allen Cell Type Atlas and related datasets include the marker genes listed above. These transcriptomic profiles help identify subtypes and disease-associated gene expression changes.
The study of Postsynaptic Densities has evolved significantly over the past decades. Research in this area has revealed important insights into the underlying mechanisms of neurodegeneration and continues to drive therapeutic development.
Historical context and key discoveries in this field have shaped our current understanding and will continue to guide future research directions.
Page auto-generated from NeuroWiki cell type database. Last updated: 2026-02-26.