NPAS4 belongs to the Per-Arnt-Sim family of neuronal specific transciption factors, all involved in the development and maintenance of learning and memory pathways (1). NPAS4 is a transcription factor that regulates the formation and maintenance of inhibitory synapses, and can activate the CNS midline enhancer element and the expression of the drebrin gene. Deregulation has been to be associated with developmental disorders such as schizophrenia and autism (2).
