Abstract
Genetic causes of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) such as epilepsy and autism spectrum disorder are rapidly being uncovered. The genetic risk factors that are responsible for various NDDs fall into many categories, and while some genes such as those involved in synaptic transmission are expected, there are several other classes of genes whose involvement in these disorders is not intuitive. One such group of genes is involved in protein synthesis and degradation, and the balance between these opposing pathways is termed proteostasis. Here, we review these pathways, the genetics of the related neurological disorders, and some potential disease mechanisms. Improved understanding of this collection of genetic disorders will be informative for the pathogenesis of these disorders and imply novel therapeutic strategies.