A Role of the Wnt Signaling in the Regulation of Brain Function

The review describes the Wnt signaling pathway participation in the embryonic development, such as cell specification, migration and polarity. Recent studies have shown that the Wnt pathway plays one of the key roles in the processes of synaptic plasticity and memory formation. In this review there are evidences of the Wnt cascade involvement in the modulation of synaptic efficacy at both pre- and postsynaptic levels. Here we analyze the role of Wnt ligands in synaptic plasticity and behavior. Finally, we describe that components of Wnt pathways are involved in the development of major neurological and psychiatric disorders, including a neuroprotective role of Wnt proteins in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease.