Regulation of synaptic plasticity by the cyclic-AMP signalling pathway

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

A major goal of neurobiology is to identify the complex molecular and cellular mechanisms that importantly regulate learning and memory storage in the mammalian brain. This is not an easy task, but it is currently one of the most important endeavours in the biological sciences. ** Activity-dependent changes in excitatory synaptic strength ("synaptic plasticity") are critical for specific forms of learning and memory. Long-term potentiation (LTP) is one type of plasticity: it is an activity-induced enhancement of the physiological strength of excitatory synapses. LTP is widely regarded as a leading candidate synaptic mechanism for information storage in the mammalian brain, because many of the molecular mechanisms that are required for LTP to occur are also critical for memory function. ** Numerous intracellular signaling pathways have been implicated in both LTP and memory storage. One pathway that is critical for these processes is the cyclic-AMP (cAMP) signaling pathway. The major objective of my research is to elucidate how the cAMP signaling pathway regulates LTP and memory. Broadly viewed, this research will shed light on how the brain performs multiple functions that depend on memory, including perception, attention, self-awareness.****