GRIK (GRIK1, GRIK2, GRIK3, GRIK4, GRIK5)

The GRIK gene family encodes the subunits of kainate receptors, which are one of the types of ionotropic glutamate receptors found in the nervous system. Glutamate is the principal excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain, and its receptors, including kainate receptors, play key roles in synaptic transmission, neural plasticity, learning, and memory. Kainate receptors are involved in both direct signalling functions as neurotransmitter receptors and in modulating the activity of other glutamate receptors.

Key Members of the GRIK Family:

GRIK1: Encodes the GluK1 subunit of the kainate receptor.
GRIK2: Encodes the GluK2 subunit.
GRIK3: Encodes the GluK3 subunit.
GRIK4: Encodes the GluK4 subunit.
GRIK5: Encodes the GluK5 subunit.

We are currently building our content on the science behind GRIK variants. Come back here soon to find out more!

GRIK SYMPTOMS

GRIK gene variants are rare and while there may be similarities between patients, they will be different for each person. Some may have certain symptoms from the day they are born, others may initially seem well, but not meet the typical developmental milestones as children of the same age. Symptoms may also appear and disappear at different points in a person’s life. We are constantly building out knowledge and understanding of GRIK gene variants.

So far several GRIK2 variants have been identified, and patients have had symptoms such as intellectual disability, developmental delay, seizures, and visual or sensory changes. Researchers have identified six patients with a GRIK2 p.A657T (c.1969G>A) variant so far. For the patients with the p.A657T variant, they share symptoms of intellectual disability, developmental delay, but do not have seizures, visual, or sensory changes. One study highlighted the potential role of the GRIK4 gene in treatment-resistant depression
with association between variants and the presence of psychotic symptoms, and the risk of developing psychotic symptoms during depressive episodes. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6863631/)

Other disease-causing variants in GRIK genes have not yet been identified. Therefore, there is no clear sense of how common GRIK disorders are, because so few patients have been reported in the registry and scientific literature. (https://curegrin.org/grik-disorder/)

Get in touch here if you know of any published papers which highlight the symptoms of GRIK variants, or, you would be happy to share your symptoms or the person you care for (in an anonymous way), so we can grow our understanding of GRIK symptoms further.

GRI gene family

GRIN (GRIN1, GRIN2A, GRIN2B, GRIN2C, GRIN2D, GRIN3A, GRIN3B)

The term “GRIN” refers to a family of genes that encode subunits of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, which are critical components of the nervous system involved in synaptic transmission and plasticity. NMDA receptors are a type of glutamate receptor that plays key roles in neuronal development, learning, memory, and neuroplasticity.

GRID (GRID1, GRID2)

GRID genes are a gene family which includes genes that encode the subunits of the delta glutamate receptors, which are less commonly understood receptors compared to the more widely known AMPA, NMDA, and Kainate receptors. Delta glutamate receptors, denoted by their gene symbols such as GRID1 and GRID2, are part

GRIA (GRIA1, GRIA2, GRIA3, GRIA4)

GRIA genes are a gene family that encode the subunits of AMPA (α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid) receptors in the brain. AMPA receptors are critical for fast synaptic transmission in the central nervous system, playing key roles in synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory. The GRIA gene family each encode a different subunit of