RESEARCH ARTICLE The Autism Related Protein Contactin- Associated Protein-Like 2 (CNTNAP2) Stabilizes New Spines: An In VivoMouse Study

The establishment and maintenance of neuronal circuits depends on tight regulation of syn-aptic contacts. We hypothesized that CNTNAP2, a protein associated with autism, would play a key role in this process. Indeed, we found that new dendritic spines in mice lacking CNTNAP2 were formed at normal rates, but failed to stabilize. Notably, rates of spine elimi-nation were unaltered, suggesting a specific role for CNTNAP2 in stabilizing new synaptic circuitry