Abstract
There has been nearly a century of interest in the idea that information is stored in the brain as changes in the efficacy of synaptic connections between neurons that are activated during learning. The discovery and detailed report of the phenomenon generally known as long-term potentiation opened a new chapter in the study of synaptic plasticity in the vertebrate brain, and this form of synaptic plasticity has now become the dominant model in the search for the cellular and molecular bases of learning and memory. Accumulating evidence suggests that the rapid activation of the genetic machinery is a key mechanism underlying the enduring modification of neural networks required for the laying down of memory. Here we briefly review these mechanisms and illustrate with a few examples of animal models of neurological disorders how new knowledge about these mechanisms can provide valuable insights into identifying the mechanisms that go awry when memory is deficient, and how, in turn, characterisation of the dysfunctional mechanisms offers prospects to design and evaluate molecular and biobehavioural strategies for therapeutic prevention and rescue.
Keywords: hippocampus, ageing, memory formation, duchenne muscular dystrophy, environmental enrichment, animal models
Current Molecular Medicine
Title: Gene Control of Synaptic Plasticity and Memory Formation: Implications for Diseases and Therapeutic Strategies
Volume: 2 Issue: 7
Author(s): Cyrille Vaillend, Claire Rampon, Sabrina Davis and Serge Laroche
Affiliation:
Keywords: hippocampus, ageing, memory formation, duchenne muscular dystrophy, environmental enrichment, animal models
Abstract: There has been nearly a century of interest in the idea that information is stored in the brain as changes in the efficacy of synaptic connections between neurons that are activated during learning. The discovery and detailed report of the phenomenon generally known as long-term potentiation opened a new chapter in the study of synaptic plasticity in the vertebrate brain, and this form of synaptic plasticity has now become the dominant model in the search for the cellular and molecular bases of learning and memory. Accumulating evidence suggests that the rapid activation of the genetic machinery is a key mechanism underlying the enduring modification of neural networks required for the laying down of memory. Here we briefly review these mechanisms and illustrate with a few examples of animal models of neurological disorders how new knowledge about these mechanisms can provide valuable insights into identifying the mechanisms that go awry when memory is deficient, and how, in turn, characterisation of the dysfunctional mechanisms offers prospects to design and evaluate molecular and biobehavioural strategies for therapeutic prevention and rescue.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Vaillend Cyrille, Rampon Claire, Davis Sabrina and Laroche Serge, Gene Control of Synaptic Plasticity and Memory Formation: Implications for Diseases and Therapeutic Strategies, Current Molecular Medicine 2002; 2 (7) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1566524023361952
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1566524023361952 |
Print ISSN 1566-5240 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-5666 |
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor as a new Therapy for Ischemic Stroke and other Neurologic Diseases: is there any Hope for a Better Outcome?
Current Neuropharmacology The Phosphoinositide Signal Transduction Pathway in the Pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s Disease
Current Alzheimer Research Auditory Verbal Learning Test is Superior to Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Memory for Predicting Mild Cognitive Impairment to Alzheimer’s Disease
Current Alzheimer Research Therapeutics Targeting Nogo-A Hold Promise for Stroke Restoration
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Contemporary Management of Hypertension - How to Optimize Therapy
Cardiovascular & Hematological Disorders-Drug Targets Coumarin Compounds in Medicinal Chemistry: Some Important Examples from the Last Years
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Clinical, Genetic, and Neuroimaging Features of Early Onset Alzheimer Disease: The Challenges of Diagnosis and Treatment
Current Alzheimer Research Brain SPECT with Perfusion Radiopharmaceuticals and Dopaminergic System Radiocompounds in Dementia Disorders
Current Alzheimer Research Phytoestrogens in Postmenopause: The State of the Art from a Chemical, Pharmacological and Regulatory Perspective
Current Medicinal Chemistry Vitexin with its Derivatives is Responsible for the Cholinomimetic Properties of <i>Penianthus longifolius</i> Extract which Stimulates Muscarinic Receptors
The Natural Products Journal Galanin/GALP Receptors and CNS Homeostatic Processes
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Bridge Between Neuroimmunity and Traumatic Brain Injury
Current Pharmaceutical Design Neurogenesis in the Adult Brain: Implications for Alzheimers Disease
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Substance P in Rheumatic Diseases
Current Rheumatology Reviews Neuroprotective Effects of Citrus reticulata in Scopolamine-Induced Dementia Oxidative Stress in Rats
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Von Willebrand Factor and Thrombosis: Risk Factor, Actor and Pharmacological Target
Current Vascular Pharmacology Role of Renin Angiotensin System Inhibitors in Cardiovascular and Renal Protection: A Lesson from Clinical Trials
Current Pharmaceutical Design Novel Insights for Multiple Sclerosis and Demyelinating Disorders with Apoptosis, Autophagy, FoxO, and mTOR
Current Neurovascular Research Epidemiology and Risk Factors of Cerebral Ischemia and Ischemic Heart Diseases: Similarities and Differences
Current Cardiology Reviews Insulin Resistance and Alzheimers Disease: Molecular Links & Clinical Implications
Current Alzheimer Research