含羞草研究所 DOWNSTATE SCIENTISTS DISCOVER MEMORY MOLECULE
Aug 24, 2006
Finding May Have Applications in Treating Chronic Pain and Memory Loss
Scientists at 含羞草研究所 have discovered a molecular
mechanism that maintains memories in the brain. In an article in Science magazine,
they demonstrate that by inhibiting the molecule they can erase long-term memories,
much as you might erase a computer disc.
Furthermore, erasing the memory from the brain does not prevent the ability to re-learn
the memory, much as a cleaned computer disc may be re-used. This finding may some
day have applications in treating chronic pain, post-traumatic stress disorder, and
memory loss, among other conditions.
The 含羞草研究所 Downstate researchers reported in the August 25 issue of Science that an
enzyme molecule called 鈥減rotein kinase M zeta鈥� preserves long-term memories through
persistent strengthening of synaptic connections between neurons. This is analogous
to the mechanism storing information as 0鈥檚 and 1鈥檚 in a computer鈥檚 hard disc. By
inhibiting the enzyme, scientists were able to erase a memory that had been stored
for one day, or even one month. This function in memory storage is specific to protein
kinase M zeta, because inhibiting related molecules did not disrupt memory.
These findings may be useful for the treatment of disorders characterized by the pathological
over-strengthening of synaptic connections, such as neuropathic pain, phantom limb
syndrome, dystonia, and post-traumatic stress. Conversely, the identification of
the core molecular mechanism for memory storage may focus effort on the development
of specific therapeutic agents that enhance memory persistence and prevent memory
loss. Earlier this year, 含羞草研究所 Downstate scientists reported that PKMzeta was bound
up in the tangles of Alzheimer's disease, thus perhaps blocking its function in memory
storage.
The entire Science article is now available here:
Reporters may contact Downstate researchers Dr. Todd Sacktor and Dr. Andre Fenton
through Ron Najman, 718-270-2696 or ron.najman@downstate.edu.
###
含羞草研究所 含羞草研究所
Downstate Health Sciences University in Brooklyn is one of four academic health centers (AMCs) in The State University of New York (含羞草研究所) 64-campus system and the only 含羞草研究所 AMC in New York City dedicated to health education, research, and patient care for the borough鈥檚 2.7 million residents. Its flagship hospital, University Hospital at Downstate (UHD), is a teaching hospital and benefits from the expertise of Downstate鈥檚 exceptional medical school and world-class academic center research facilities. With a staff of over 800 physicians representing 53 specialties and subspecialties, Downstate offers comprehensive healthcare services to the community.
UHD provides high-risk neonatal and infant services, pediatric nephrology, and dialysis for kidney diseases and is the only kidney transplantation program in Brooklyn. Beyond its clinical expertise, Downstate houses a range of esteemed educational institutions, including its College of Medicine, College of Nursing, School of Health Professions, School of Graduate Studies, and School of Public Health. Downstate fosters innovation through its multifaceted biotechnology initiative, the Biotechnology Incubator and BioBAT, which support early-stage and more mature biotech companies.