Recently a study from Ryszard Maleszka’s Lab demonstrates that DNA methylation does play a role in the acquisition of memory and mediates the resistance of this memory to extinction in honeybees (Lockett et al 2010). Now the group of Paul Szyszka in Konstanz provides additional information about the role of DNA methylation in the formation […]
Archiv der Kategorie 'Molecular'
Identification of a genetic cluster influencing memory performance and hippocampal activity in humans
In this study the authors investigated molecular pathways associated with memory formation. They used the behavioral genetics approach to identify genetic variations related to memory performance. An additional fMRI-study was conducted to validate their genetic findings as well as to capture brain activity related to the genotype. Out of 336 healthy subjects that underwent an […]
Molecular computer models enhance learning and memory
Posted on behalf of Benjamin Paffhausen: The authors studied long term sensitization of the withdrawal reflex in Aplysia, which is an example of long term memory (LTM). Previous findings suggested that activation of protein kinase A (PKA) and extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) lead to long term facilitation (LTF), a form of LTM. PKA and […]
Variation in the human cannabinoid receptor CNR1 gene modulates gaze duration for happy faces
The authors of the current study (2) investigated the relationship of common genetic variations and gaze patterns. In particular, they tested whether variations in the cannabinoid receptor 1 (CNR1) gene would modulate gaze duration on (happy) faces. To this end, four single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the CNR1 gene were genotyped in 30 healthy subjects (13 […]
Operant and classical conditioning in the same neuron
The marine snail Aplysia is perhaps best known for its Nobel-award-winning learning ability. In the classic work, a small water jet to the body of the animal was paired with electric shock to accomplish classical (or Pavlovian) conditioning. Since about the 1930s, it has been a longstanding debate among psychologists whether classical and operant conditioning […]
serotonin necessary for ARM memory phase
In a not so recent paper (January 2011), a nice report by Ann-Shyn Chiang group was published in PNAS. Authors use both pharmacology and genetic trick to show that serotonin is involved in an aversive olfactory memory phase called ARM. Serotonin seems released by the DPM neuron (together with the amnesiac neuropeptide?), and the information […]
Protein degradation and fear memory
Recently it has been shown that hippocampal protein degradation via the ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) is a prerequisite for reconsolidation of associative fear memory. Nevertheless the results for the role of hippocampal UPS mediated protein degradation in the consolidation of memory remain contradictory. Now Jarome et al. present data, suggesting that consolidation of fear memory […]
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