[5][6][7] This gene encodes a member of the neurexin family which functions in the vertebrate nervous system as cell adhesion molecules and receptors.

It may play a role in the local differentiation of the axon into distinct functional subdomains.

[8] It may represent a positional candidate gene for the DFNB13 form of nonsyndromic deafness.

[9][10][11] A large study concluded it is unlikely to be a primary risk gene for psychiatric disorders.

[13] Homozygous and compound heterozygous mutations in CNTNAP2 result in a disorder that resembles Pitt–Hopkins syndrome.