Gene Expression and Long-Term Potentiation

[9411564]马丁内斯神经科学家对了解大脑如何储存信息有着极大的兴趣，而且有巨大的实际好处。先前的研究表明，记忆的形成涉及蛋白质合成和神经基因表达的新模式。在这项研究中，一个学习模型，长期增强，将被检查，以探测基因可能开启或关闭，当新的记忆在大脑中奠定。马丁内斯博士和他的同事们将利用cDNA减法杂交技术，确定在大脑中被称为海马体的区域引起的基因表达变化。然后，这些基因将被克隆，以便通过基因测序对其进行详细分析。这些记忆相关基因的鉴定将增加我们对影响神经系统信息储存的细胞和遗传因素的理解。这些研究应该对学习问题和处理与衰老有关的大脑变化具有重要意义。＊＊＊

9411564 Martinez There is great interest by neuroscientists, and a tremendous practical benefit, to understanding how the brain stores information. Previous research has suggested that memory formation involves protein synthesis and new patterns of neural gene expression. In this research a model of learning, long-term potentiation, will be examined in order to probe the genes which may be switched on, or switched off, when new memories are laid down in the brain. Dr. Martinez and his colleagues will identify changes in gene expression induced in a region of the brain called the hippocampus, using the technique of cDNA subtractive hybridization. These genes will then be cloned so that they can be analyzed in detail through gene sequencing. The identification of these memory-related genes should increase our understanding of the cellular and genetic factors which influence information storage in the nervous system. These studies should have important implications for problems of learning, and of dealing with aging-related changes in the brain. ***