Memory Formation: Neurochemical and Behavioral Studies

大脑如何编码、储存和检索记忆是 最重要的问题。 答案就 在许多学科贡献的技术的应用中， 从动物行为学到神经化学、解剖学和生理学。 大多数学习理论家都认为，记忆发生在几个 顺序相连的“阶段”或时间段，经常被称为 分为短期、中期和长期记忆。 的重要性 这种区别的一个重要方面是，每个阶段都有一个相对离散的 持续时间，而且，正如Rosenzweig和班尼特博士报告的那样， 似乎主要受到一种不同的神经化学物质的影响 发射机系统 他们现在正在寻找一种亚细胞 这些不同记忆阶段的神经化学分析。 这些杰出的研究人员（罗森茨韦格博士是 国家科学院）正在研究时间和 单次味觉辨别的神经化学基础 小妞 在这个范例中，年轻的公鸡被呈现出一种 尝一口之后，他们会 避免啄类似的珠子。 几种药物之一， 每种药物都能干扰正常的 记忆的过程。 在不同的时间，在不同的药物 治疗，小鸡会“忘记”苦味，并将 再啄一下珠子。 由于许多作用机制 这些药物目前已知，这些研究将提供 关于哪些神经递质， 亚细胞事件，影响记忆的每个阶段。 罗森茨威格和班尼特博士现在正在进行一项 分子分析导致记忆的事件，检查 钙内流、蛋白质合成和磷酸化的作用， 和葡萄糖利用率。 这些问题的答案可以 重新调整记忆神经科学的研究方向， 与几个应用领域相关，例如与年龄相关的记忆， 缺陷、智力迟钝和脑康复 伤害和疾病。

How the brain codes, stores and retrieves memories is one of the most important questions in neuroscience today. The answer lies in the application of techniques contributed by many disciplines, from animal behavior to neurochemistry, anatomy and physiology. Most learning theorists agree that memory occurs in several sequentially-linked "stages" or time periods, frequently referred to as short-, intermediate- and long-term memory. The importance of this distinction is that each stage has a relatively discrete duration, and, as Drs. Rosenzweig and Bennett have reported, each appears to be influenced primarily by a different neurochemical transmitter system. They are now pursuing a subcellular neurochemical analysis of these different memory stages. These outstanding investigators (Dr. Rosenzweig is a member of the National Academy of Sciences) are examining the temporal and neurochemical bases of single trial taste discrimination in the chick. In this paradigm, young cockerels are presented with a bitter tasting bead to peck: After a single taste they will avoid pecking at similar beads. One of several drugs is then administered, each capable of interfering with the normal processes of memory. At different times following different drug treatment, the chicks will "forget" the bitter taste, and will again peck at the bead. Since many of the mechanisms of action of these drugs are currently known, these studies will provide valuable information regarding which neurotransmitters, and which subcellular events, influence each stage of memory. Drs. Rosenzweig and Bennett are now proceeding with an even more molecular analysis of events leading to memory, examining the roles of calcium influx, protein synthesis and phosphorylation, and glucose utilization. Answers to these questions could reorient much research on the neuroscience of memory, and will be relevant to several applied fields such as age-related memory deficits, mental retardation, and rehabilitation from brain injuries and disease.