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
Finding neuroheterogeneity’s sweet spot
Once thought to be detrimental to memory processing, neuronal diversity—at the right ‘Goldilocks’ dose—is a new boon to theoretical neuroscience.
Finding neuroheterogeneity’s sweet spot
Once thought to be detrimental to memory processing, neuronal diversity—at the right ‘Goldilocks’ dose—is a new boon to theoretical neuroscience.
By
Natalia Mesa
20 October 2026 | 7 min read
COVID-19 and influenza effects in pregnancy; and more
Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 19 October.
COVID-19 and influenza effects in pregnancy; and more
Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 19 October.
By
Jill Adams
20 October 2026 | 2 min read
What to do when traditional mechanistic approaches no longer work
Many complex behaviors have stubbornly resisted mechanistic explanations. Deciphering them will require new approaches—and perhaps a new concept of “understanding.”
What to do when traditional mechanistic approaches no longer work
Many complex behaviors have stubbornly resisted mechanistic explanations. Deciphering them will require new approaches—and perhaps a new concept of “understanding.”
By
Bence Ölveczky
19 October 2026 | 8 min read