Professor Ko Jae-won and Kim Chul-hoon’s Research Team Finds a Vital Clue to Treatment of Brain Diseases such as Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder A Yonsei research team found a critical clue to the treatment of brain diseases such as obsessive compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. The team led by Professor Ko Jae-won and Professor Kim Chul-hoon identified the structure and function of synapse and synaptic adhesion protein. Their study has been recently published on the online version of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) in the U. S. According to Professor Ko, “The findings that provide a clue to the pathogenesis of brain diseases have opened new possibilities for treatment development.” As a part connecting nerve cells, the synapse constitutes the excitatory synapse and inhibitory synapse. In the course of the synapse’s early development, the synaptic adhesion protein plays a critical role in promoting the different nerve cells to adhere physiochemically. Although SLITRK, a type of synaptic adhesion protein, had been known to be related to brain diseases, its mechanism had not been yet illuminated. Professor Ko and Kim’s team, however, has found that SLITRK combines with LAR-RPTP, like a lock or key, inducing the production of excitatory synapse and inhibitory synapse.