Developmental and age-related synapse elimination is mediated by glial Croquemort.

Glial Croquemort (Crq) is essential for synapse elimination during development and prevents age-related synaptic loss in Drosophila CNS, with loss causing excess synapses and seizures.

• Why it matters: Understanding how glia regulate synapse dynamics is crucial for insights into neural circuit formation, maintenance, and neurodegenerative conditions, yet the molecular mechanisms remain unclear.
• What they did: Using a high-throughput ELISA-based in vivo screen, the study identified glial genes, notably Crq, that control synapse numbers, revealing its role in developmental elimination and aging-related synaptic stability.
• The result: Loss of glial Crq leads to excess synapses and seizure susceptibility, while also preventing age-related synaptic decline, highlighting Crq as a key regulator of neural circuit integrity across the lifespan.