If you’ve never heard of a genetic disease called SYNGAP1 Syndrome, you’re certainly not alone. The neurological disorder is considered rare, with only 762 confirmed cases globally, according to the #SyngapCensus. But epidemiological studies suggest it’s more common than we know, with many more cases likely going undiagnosed or misdiagnosed.

Research by Marcelo Coba, PhD, an associate professor of psychiatry and the behavioral sciences at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, will help shed light on this disease, which is caused by a genetic alternation in the SYNGAP1 gene. This disorder, for which there is currently no cure, results in a variety of conditions, including intellectual disabilities, epilepsy, sleep disorders, impulsivity, and aggression.

To continue reading this story, click here.