In addition, the protein expression of synaptophysin (SYN) and postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD-95), the pre- and postsynaptic function associated makers, was significantly downregulated in the prefrontal cortex post infection (P < 0.05, Fig 3F and 3G; P < 0.01, Fig 3H and 3I). Here, SYP is linked to infection.