Pre-synaptic Dysfunction in Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathies Synaptopathies in Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathies

The pre- and post-synaptic membranes, the synaptic cleft, and the surrounding glial cells and extracellular matrix all play a role in the correct connection between pre- and post-synaptic nerve cells. Synaptopathy is a change in the systems that control the physiological synergy between these synaptic components. Several neuropsychiatric illnesses are linked to mutations in genes producing proteins involved in neuronal transmission, but only a few are linked to Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathies (DEEs). A diverse set of epileptic syndromes linked with cognitive disturbances/intellectual impairment, autistic traits, and movement abnormalities make up these ailments. This review focuses on processes influencing the neuronal pre-synaptic terminal and its function in the development of DEEs in order to better understand the aetiology of these diseases.