Very few neurotransmitter genes have altered expression in the vHip. Although changes in glutamate receptors themselves were quite limited, decreases were seen in all 3 of the Shank post-synaptic scaffolding genes (Table 2). Shank proteins link the various glutamate receptors together and are necessary for functional spine formation and proper maturation and functioning of excitatory synapses (reviewed in (O’Connor, Bariselli, & Bellone, 2014). Decreased expression of Shank1 decreases the size of neuron spines and decreased recruitment of endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ stores.
