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
Fly taste connectome traces paths from sensation to action
The map—the first of its kind for an animal more complex than Caenorhabditis elegans—gives neuroscientists a trove of testable hypotheses about how neuronal circuits guide feeding behaviors.
Fly taste connectome traces paths from sensation to action
The map—the first of its kind for an animal more complex than Caenorhabditis elegans—gives neuroscientists a trove of testable hypotheses about how neuronal circuits guide feeding behaviors.
By
Lauren Schenkman
30 October 2026 | 5 min read
Remembering Gerry Fischbach, ‘orchestra conductor’ who brought scientists together
Fischbach, who died 25 October, elucidated the dynamic changes in neuromuscular junctions. Beyond the lab, he shaped careers, academic departments and scientific societies.
Remembering Gerry Fischbach, ‘orchestra conductor’ who brought scientists together
Fischbach, who died 25 October, elucidated the dynamic changes in neuromuscular junctions. Beyond the lab, he shaped careers, academic departments and scientific societies.
By
Claudia López Lloreda
29 October 2026 | 8 min read
WILD platform levels up ability to record brain activity, behavior in nature
The customizable rig combines multimodal recording, onboard processing and neuronal manipulation to power more complex experiments.
WILD platform levels up ability to record brain activity, behavior in nature
The customizable rig combines multimodal recording, onboard processing and neuronal manipulation to power more complex experiments.
By
Simon Makin
29 October 2026 | 6 min read