DGCR8 and schizophrenia: Given the crucial role of 22q11 gene-mediated alterations in synaptic plasticity as the neural substrate underlying cognitive dysfunctions and increased risk of developing schizophrenia associated with 22q11 microdeletions, Fénelon et al. investigated the effect of DGCR8 deficiency on the structure and function of cortical circuits by assessing their laminar organisation and the neuronal morphology and synaptic properties of layer 5 pyramidal neurons in the pre-frontal cortex of DGCR8+/− mutant.