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Paul Smolen, PhD; John H. Byrne, PhD

Arch Neurol. 2003;60:1053-1057.

Many neurological disorders are based on mutations in 1 or more genes. To understand and optimally treat these disorders, it is necessary to understand the functions and regulation of the genes involved. It has become apparent that intuitive descriptions of gene regulation are often insufficient. A mathematical description adds precision and detail. Therefore, a mathematical description is important for networks of genes that underlie development, synaptic plasticity, and other complex biological processes. A mathematical description is also important to represent the combined effects of multiple genes that contribute to the phenotype of complex neurological disorders. In such gene networks, it is common for some of the gene products to regulate the expression of other network members. Also, the expression of all or some network members is commonly coregulated. Gene product proteins that regulate transcription are termed transcription factors (TFs), and many genes are activated by multiple TFs.

From the Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, W. M. Keck Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, The University of Texas–Houston Medical School.