 |
|
Nitric oxide plays a vital role in the formation of long-term memory in snails
February 18, 2002Snails can teach us a great deal about how we form memories, according to a group of neuroscientists at the University of Sussex.
Research by Dr Ildik'ł Kemenes, Professor Paul Benjamin, Professor Michael O'Shea and colleagues shows that nitric oxide plays a vital role in the formation of long-term memory in snails. This is of crucial importance because the gas has already been shown to play such a role in humans and other mammals.
Ideally, scientists would like to use mammals to study the mechanism of memory formation, but mammalian brains are too complex. So, instead, they have to study animals with simpler brains. Snails are an ideal choice because they have unusually large neurons (nerve cells). But, until now no one had conclusively shown that nitric oxide plays a role in the formation of long-term memory in snails.
So, the Sussex team carried out experiments to see whether interfering with nitric oxide, in ways known to prevent mammals forming long-term memory, would have a similar effect on snails.
The experiments made use of a smell-taste association. Snails can be taught to associate the smell of amyl acetate, a chemical that smells like pear drops, with a tasty sugar solution. Subsequently, whenever they smell 'pear drops', they begin to make mouth movements in anticipation of food.
The Sussex team injected snails with chemicals that either blocked the production of nitric oxide, or prevented it passing to other neurones, or blocked its action. They found that in each case the snails failed to memorise the association if the injection had been made within five hours after training - the time in which long-term memory is laid down.
This is the best evidence so far that nitric oxide plays a role in the formation of long-term memory in snails. Moreover, this is the first time that anyone has demonstrated such a role in any animal at both the neuronal and the behavioural level.
The findings are published in the current Journal of Neuroscience, issued on February 15.
Sussex, University of
So, the Sussex team carried out experiments to see whether interfering with nitric oxide, in ways known to prevent mammals forming long-term memory, would have a similar effect on snails.
The experiments made use of a smell-taste association. Snails can be taught to associate the smell of amyl acetate, a chemical that smells like pear drops, with a tasty sugar solution. Subsequently, whenever they smell 'pear drops', they begin to make mouth movements in anticipation of food.
The Sussex team injected snails with chemicals that either blocked the production of nitric oxide, or prevented it passing to other neurones, or blocked its action. They found that in each case the snails failed to memorise the association if the injection had been made within five hours after training - the time in which long-term memory is laid down.
This is the best evidence so far that nitric oxide plays a role in the formation of long-term memory in snails. Moreover, this is the first time that anyone has demonstrated such a role in any animal at both the neuronal and the behavioural level.
The findings are published in the current Journal of Neuroscience, issued on February 15.
Sussex, University of
Memory Current Events and Memory News RSSSurgery not linked to memory problems in older patients
For years, it has been widely assumed that older adults may experience memory loss and other cognitive problems following surgery. But a new study from researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis questions those assumptions.
Mother's Depression a Risk Factor in Childhood Asthma Symptoms, Study Suggests
Asthma symptoms can worsen in children with depressed mothers, according to research from Johns Hopkins Children's Center published online in the Journal of Pediatric Psychology.
New Down syndrome treatment suggested by Stanford/Packard study in mice
At birth, children with Down syndrome aren't developmentally delayed. But as they age, these kids fall behind. Memory deficits inherent in Down syndrome hinder learning, making it hard for the brain to collect experiences needed for normal cognitive development.
Cognitive dysfunction reversed in mouse model of Down syndrome
A study by neuroscientist William C. Mobley, MD, PhD, chair of the Department of Neurosciences at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, and colleagues at Stanford University Medical School has demonstrated a possible new approach to slowing the inevitable progression of cognitive decline found in Down's syndrome.
Saliva proteins change as women age
In a step toward using human saliva to tell whether those stiff joints, memory lapses, and other telltale signs of aging are normal or red flags for disease, scientists are describing how the protein content of women's saliva change with advancing age.
UCLA study shows brain's ability to reorganize
Visually impaired people appear to be fearless, navigating busy sidewalks and crosswalks, safely finding their way using nothing more than a cane as a guide.
New neuroimaging analysis technique identifies impact of Alzheimer's disease gene in healthy brains
Brain imaging can offer a window into risk for diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). A study conducted at the University of Kansas School of Medicine demonstrated that genetic risk is expressed in the brains of even those who are healthy, but carry some risk for AD.
Consumption of certain fish during pregnancy associated with poorer cognitive performance
Children who eat fish more than 3 times per week show a worse performance in the general cognitive, executive and perceptual-manipulative areas.
Does modernization affect children's cognitive development?
Societal and technological changes have taken place at a dizzying pace over recent decades. A new cross-cultural study aimed to determine whether these dramatic changes have had an effect on the thinking skills that are learned over the course of childhood.
Scientists decipher the formation of lasting memories
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have discovered a mechanism that controls the brain's ability to create lasting memories. In experiments on genetically manipulated mice, they were able to switch on and off the animals' ability to form lasting memories by adding a substance to their drinking water.
More Memory Current Events and Memory News Articles
 |
Crucial 2GB 667 Mhz CT25664AC667 DDR2 200-Pin SODIMM Laptop Memory by CRUCIAL TECHNOLOGY Go faster and further with a notebook or netbook memory upgrade from Crucial. We've got quality SODIMM memory for mobile systems. And because a memory upgrade is one of the easiest, most affordable ways to improve system performance, it's the ideal solution for on-the-go users. If you count on your netbook or notebook, count on memory from Crucial. Crucial is a key brand in the Lexar Media family of products. So whether you’re focused on your family, friends, work or life outside of work—Crucial DRAM products help make computing more reliable, faster, and more effortless. With upgrades for nearly every PC and Mac system out there, plus flash products and Solid State Drives, you can be sure that if it’s important to you, it’s safe with us. |
 |
The Memory Book: The Classic Guide to Improving Your Memory at Work, at School, and at Play by Harry Lorayne (Author), Jerry Lucas (Author) Unleash the hidden power of your mind through Harry Lorayne and Jerry Lucas's simple, fail-safe memory system, and you can become more effective, more imaginative, and more powerful, at work, at school, in sports and play. Discover how easy it is to: file phone numbers, data, figures, and appointments right in your head; learn foreign words and phrases with ease; read with speed--and greater understanding; shine in the classroom--and shorten study hours; dominate social situations, and more. |
 |
Original Memory by Hasbro Games For 1 or more players Can you remember what's hiding where' It's fun find matching pictures of your favorite things, two by two. Just flip over cards, two at a time, trying to make a match. If you find the same two cards, you keep them! Find the most pairs and you're the winner! Includes 72 picture cards and a plastic storage tray. |
 |
Sony 4 GB Memory Stick PRO Duo Flash Memory Card MSMT4G by Sony Ideal media for capturing video on most of all 2008 Handycam camcorder models |
 |
Your Memory : How It Works and How to Improve It by Kenneth L. Higbee (Author) Do you want to stop forgetting appointments, birthdays, and other important dates? Work more efficiently at your job? Study less and get better grades? Remember the names and faces of people you meet? The good news is that it's all possible. Your Memory will help to expand your memory abilities beyond what you thought possible. Dr. Higbee reveals how simple techniques, like the Link, Loci, Peg, and Phonetic systems, can be incorporated into your everyday life and how you can also use these techniques to learn foreign languages faster than you thought possible, remember details you would have otherwise forgotten, and overcome general absentmindedness. Higbee also includes sections on aging and memory and the latest information on the use of mnemonics. |
 |
eeBoo Life on Earth Memory Game by eeBoo eeBoo is about producing beautiful, useful and well-made products for children. Using only the original art of well-known and well-loved children's book illustrators we create vibrantly original toys and gifts that hopefully children will affectionately remember. Ages 5 & up 9.5" x 7" |
 |
Sandisk 8GB SDHC Memory Card (SDSDB-8192, Bulk Package) by SanDisk The SDHC memory card is a highly secure stamp-sized flash memory card, which can be used in a variety of digital products: digital music players, cellular phones, handheld PCs (HPCs), digital cameras, digital video camcorders, smart phones, car navigation systems and electronic books, that follows the SD 2.00 specifications. The SDHC card has a security feature for protection of copyrighted data. |
 |
In Search of Memory: The Emergence of a New Science of Mind by Eric R. Kandel (Author) “A stunning book.”—Oliver Sacks Charting the intellectual history of the emerging biology of mind, Eric R. Kandel illuminates how behavioral psychology, cognitive psychology, neuroscience, and molecular biology have converged into a powerful new science of mind. This science now provides nuanced insights into normal mental functioning and disease, and simultaneously opens pathways to more effective healing. Driven by vibrant curiosity, Kandel’s personal quest to understand memory is threaded throughout this absorbing history. Beginning with his childhood in Nazi-occupied Vienna, In Search of Memory chronicles Kandel’s outstanding career from his initial fascination with history and psychoanalysis to his groundbreaking work on the biological process of memory,... |
 |
PNY OPTIMA 2GB (2x1GB) Dual Channel Kit DDR 400 MHz PC3200 Desktop DIMM Memory Modules MD2048KD1-400 by PNY 2GB Kit (2x1GB) PC3200 400MHz DDR Desktop DIMMs , notebook computers and processors such as IntelÂżs Pentium, Celeron, AMDÂżs Athlon, Sempron and others. PNY upgrade modules are compatible with systems from Apple, Compaq, DELL, Gateway, HP, IBM and over 5000 other systems. Boost the performance of your PC to its maximum capability. PNY memory upgrades will prove to be an outstanding value both now and in the future. |
 |
Memory Game - Disney Princess Edition by MILTON BRADLEY Brand new in factory sealed box |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |