Kevin Bender is professor of neurology at the University of California, San Francisco. His lab focuses on understanding how the brain encodes information at the synaptic, cellular and network level. Work primarily revolves around understanding how ion channels and modulation of ion channels contribute to these processes in health and in neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric conditions. This includes studies related to neurodevelopmental channelopathies, for which he is grateful to be able to work with close colleagues and partners from academia, industry and patient advocacy groups.
Kevin Bender
Professor of neurology
University of California, San Francisco
From this contributor
Should I work with these people? A guide to collaboration
By
Kevin Bender
10 September 2024 | 7 min read
Selected articles
- “Impaired cerebellar plasticity hypersensitizes sensory reflexes in SCN2A-associated ASD” | Neuron
- “Physical and functional convergence of the autism risk genes Scn2a and Ank2 in neocortical pyramidal cell dendrites” | Neuron
- “Arrestin-3 Agonism at Dopamine D3 Receptors Defines a Subclass of Second-Generation Antipsychotics That Promotes Drug Tolerance” | Biological Psychiatry
- “The Autism-Associated Gene Scn2a Contributes to Dendritic Excitability and Synaptic Function in the Prefrontal Cortex” | Neuron
- “Periadolescent Maturation of GABAergic Hyperpolarization at the Axon Initial Segment” | Cell Reports
Explore more from The Transmitter
Argentine protesters condemn science funding shortfall
Demonstrators across the country called for the government to increase public university salaries and funding for scientific research.
Argentine protesters condemn science funding shortfall
Demonstrators across the country called for the government to increase public university salaries and funding for scientific research.
By
Claudia López Lloreda, Natalia Mesa, Anita Pouchard Serra
15 May 2026 | 3 min read
This paper changed my life: Appreciating John Hopfield’s brilliant neural network
In a 1982 paper, the Nobel laureate created his namesake recurrent neural network—work that taught Maria Geffen to always ground research questions in biology.
This paper changed my life: Appreciating John Hopfield’s brilliant neural network
In a 1982 paper, the Nobel laureate created his namesake recurrent neural network—work that taught Maria Geffen to always ground research questions in biology.
By
Maria Geffen
15 May 2026 | 5 min read
How basic neuroscientists can connect with autistic people and their communities
A first-of-its-kind workshop offers a template for autism researchers who want to incorporate community perspectives into their work.
How basic neuroscientists can connect with autistic people and their communities
A first-of-its-kind workshop offers a template for autism researchers who want to incorporate community perspectives into their work.
By
Juliana Chase, Hannah R. Monday, Lea Witkowsky
14 May 2026 | 6 min read