Neural plasticity and memory: molecular mechanism

2015 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zareen Amtul ◽  
Atta-ur-Rahman
Keyword(s):  
Neural Plasticity ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Mrna Translation ◽  
Information Storage ◽  
Memory Storage ◽  
Cognitive Information ◽  
Intramolecular Bonding ◽  
Mechanisms Of Memory ◽  
The Individual

AbstractDeciphering the cellular and molecular mechanisms of memory has been an important topic encompassing the learning and memory domain besides the neurodegenerative disorders. Synapses accumulate cognitive information from life-lasting alterations of their molecular and structural composition. Current memory storage models identify posttranslational modification imperative for short-term information storage and mRNA translation for long-term information storage. However, the precise account of these modifications has not been summarized at the individual synapse level. Therefore, herein we describe the spatiotemporal reorganization of synaptic plasticity at the dendritic spine level to elucidate the mechanism through which synaptic substructures are remodeled; though at the molecular level, such mechanisms are still quite unclear. It has thus been concluded that the existing mechanisms do not entirely elaborate memory storage processes. Further efforts are therefore encouraged to delineate the mechanism of neuronal connectivity at the chemical level as well, including inter- or intramolecular bonding patterns at the synaptic level, which may be a permissive and vital step of memory storage.

scholarly journals The Role and Mechanisms of Action of Glucocorticoid Involvement in Memory Storage

1998 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 41-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carmen Sandi
Keyword(s):  
Glucocorticoid Receptors ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Memory Formation ◽  
Contextual Fear Conditioning ◽  
Memory Storage ◽  
Long Term Memory ◽  
Contextual Fear ◽  
Adrenal Steroid ◽  
Response To Stress ◽  
Mechanisms Of Memory

Adrenal steroid hormones modulate learning and memory processes by interacting with specific glucocorticoid receptors at different brain areas. In this article, certain components of the physiological response to stress elicited by learning situations are proposed to form an integral aspect of the neurobiological mechanism underlying memory formation. By reviewing the work carried out in different learning models in chicks (passive avoidance learning) and rats (spatial orientation in the Morris water maze and contextual fear conditioning), a role for brain corticosterone action through the glucocorticoid receptor type on the mechanisms of memory consolidation is hypothesized. Evidence is also presented to relate post-training corticosterone levels to the strength of memory storage. Finally, the possible molecular mechanisms that might mediate the influences of glucocorticoids in synaptic plasticity subserving long-term memory formation are considered, mainly by focusing on studies implicating a steroid action through (i) glutamatergic transmission and (ii) cell adhesion molecules.

scholarly journals Gradation (approx. 10 size states) of synaptic strength by quantal addition of structural modules

2017 ◽  
Vol 372 (1715) ◽  
pp. 20160328 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kang K. L. Liu ◽  
Michael F. Hagan ◽  
John E. Lisman
Keyword(s):  
Functional Module ◽  
Late Phase ◽  
Matrix Material ◽  
Super Resolution ◽  
Long Term Potentiation ◽  
Information Storage ◽  
Homeostatic Plasticity ◽  
Memory Storage ◽  
Long Term Memory

Memory storage involves activity-dependent strengthening of synaptic transmission, a process termed long-term potentiation (LTP). The late phase of LTP is thought to encode long-term memory and involves structural processes that enlarge the synapse. Hence, understanding how synapse size is graded provides fundamental information about the information storage capability of synapses. Recent work using electron microscopy (EM) to quantify synapse dimensions has suggested that synapses may structurally encode as many as 26 functionally distinct states, which correspond to a series of proportionally spaced synapse sizes. Other recent evidence using super-resolution microscopy has revealed that synapses are composed of stereotyped nanoclusters of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors and scaffolding proteins; furthermore, synapse size varies linearly with the number of nanoclusters. Here we have sought to develop a model of synapse structure and growth that is consistent with both the EM and super-resolution data. We argue that synapses are composed of modules consisting of matrix material and potentially one nanocluster. LTP induction can add a trans-synaptic nanocluster to a module, thereby converting a silent module to an AMPA functional module. LTP can also add modules by a linear process, thereby producing an approximately 10-fold gradation in synapse size and strength. This article is part of the themed issue ‘Integrating Hebbian and homeostatic plasticity’.

Molecular Mechanisms of Memory Storage inAplysia

2006 ◽  
Vol 210 (3) ◽  
pp. 174-191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert D. Hawkins ◽  
Eric R. Kandel ◽  
Craig H. Bailey
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Memory Storage ◽  
Mechanisms Of Memory

scholarly journals Lactoferrin Augmentation of the BCG Vaccine Leads to Increased Pulmonary Integrity

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shen-An Hwang ◽  
Kerry J. Welsh ◽  
Marian L. Kruzel ◽  
Jeffrey K. Actor
Keyword(s):  
Disease Progression ◽  
Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Current Literature ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Bcg Vaccine ◽  
Organism Growth ◽  
Severe Manifestation ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Tuberculosis Disease

The goal of vaccination to prevent tuberculosis disease (TB) is to offer long-term protection to the individual and the community. In addition, the success of any protective TB vaccine should include the ability to limit cavitary formation and disease progression. The current BCG vaccine protects against disseminated TB disease in children by promoting development of antigenic-specific responses. However, its efficacy is limited in preventing postprimary pulmonary disease in adults that is responsible for the majority of disease and transmission. This paper illustrates the use of lactoferrin as an adjuvant to boost efficacy of the BCG vaccine to control organism growth and limit severe manifestation of pulmonary disease. This resulting limitation in pathology may ultimately, limit spread of bacilli and subsequent transmission of organisms between individuals. The current literature is reviewed, and data is presented to support molecular mechanisms underlying lactoferrin's utility as an adjuvant for the BCG vaccine.

Molecular mechanisms of synaptic consolidation during sleep: BDNF function and dendritic protein synthesis

2005 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-66
Author(s):  
Clive R. Bramham
Keyword(s):  
Memory Consolidation ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Long Term Potentiation ◽  
Term Potentiation ◽  
Dendritic Protein Synthesis ◽  
Mechanisms Of Memory ◽  
Activity Dependent ◽  
Specific Contribution

Insights into the role of sleep in the molecular mechanisms of memory consolidation may come from studies of activity-dependent synaptic plasticity, such as long-term potentiation (LTP). This commentary posits a specific contribution of sleep to LTP stabilization, in which mRNA transported to dendrites during wakefulness is translated during sleep. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor may drive the translation of newly transported and resident mRNA.

scholarly journals Bidirectional synaptic plasticity: from theory to reality

2003 ◽  
Vol 358 (1432) ◽  
pp. 649-655 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark F. Bear
Keyword(s):  
Cerebral Cortex ◽  
Visual Cortex ◽  
Receptive Field ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Information Storage ◽  
Personal Account ◽  
Long Term Depression ◽  
Detailed Understanding ◽  
Hippocampal Area

Theories of receptive field plasticity and information storage make specific assumptions for how synapses are modified. I give a personal account of how testing the validity of these assumptions eventually led to a detailed understanding of long-term depression and metaplasticity in hippocampal area CA1 and the visual cortex. The knowledge of these molecular mechanisms now promises to reveal when and how sensory experience modifies synapses in the cerebral cortex.

Synaptic plasticity in Alzheimer’s disease and healthy aging

2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 245-268 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana Marcela Cuestas Torres ◽  
Fernando P. Cardenas
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Synaptic Plasticity ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Long Term Potentiation ◽  
Cellular Level ◽  
Memory And Learning ◽  
The Individual

AbstractThe strength and efficiency of synaptic connections are affected by the environment or the experience of the individual. This property, called synaptic plasticity, is directly related to memory and learning processes and has been modeled at the cellular level. These types of cellular memory and learning models include specific stimulation protocols that generate a long-term strengthening of the synapses, called long-term potentiation, or a weakening of the said long-term synapses, called long-term depression. Although, for decades, researchers have believed that the main cause of the cognitive deficit that characterizes Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and aging was the loss of neurons, the hypothesis of an imbalance in the cellular and molecular mechanisms of synaptic plasticity underlying this deficit is currently widely accepted. An understanding of the molecular and cellular changes underlying the process of synaptic plasticity during the development of AD and aging will direct future studies to specific targets, resulting in the development of much more efficient and specific therapeutic strategies. In this review, we classify, discuss, and describe the main findings related to changes in the neurophysiological mechanisms of synaptic plasticity in excitatory synapses underlying AD and aging. In addition, we suggest possible mechanisms in which aging can become a high-risk factor for the development of AD and how its development could be prevented or slowed.

Remote spatial memory processing in the juvenile brain and contribution of the hippocampus

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanisse Teale
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Memory ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Memory Formation ◽  
Adult Brain ◽  
Memory Storage ◽  
Long Term Memory ◽  
Memory Recall ◽  
Term Memory ◽  
Mechanisms Of Memory

A majority of research into memory formation and consolidation is commonly focused on adult brains and organisms. Our work focuses on the mechanisms of memory within the developing, juvenile brain in an attempt to provide a more full understanding of the underlying neural mechanisms of memory formation, consolidation and storage. During juvenile development, the brain undergoes important remodeling and synaptic pruning towards shaping the adult brain. Thus, during this time, memories may be lost through the remodeling of hippocampal-neocortical connections. The significance of comparing juvenile and adult memory processes is critical in understanding the structural changes that occur within memory-specific circuits associated with long-term memory formation. To provide a comparison of the neurobehavioral aspects of long-term memory formation in juveniles and adults, we trained Long Evan’s rats on a spatial task on postnatal days 16, 18, 20, 25, 30 or 50 (adults). Each age group was then tested for memory recall 24 hours or 3 weeks later. We noted that memory recall showed a dramatic change at postnatal day 20 such that memory recall at postnatal day 25 was similar to adult levels. We then used immunohistochemistry to quantify and analyze neural activity patterns in brain regions thought to underlie the short- and long-term storage of spatial memories. Identification of these regional activity changes during juvenile periods and comparison with adults allows us to explore the function and organization of interacting brain regions in long-term spatial memory storage during development.

Neural plasticity and emotional memory

1998 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 829-855 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. M. POST ◽  
S. R. B. WEISS ◽  
H. LI ◽  
M. A. SMITH ◽  
L. X. ZHANG ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neural Plasticity ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Emotional Memory ◽  
Neonatal Rat ◽  
Prior History ◽  
Rat Pups ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
History Of ◽  
And Behavior

Posttraumatic stress disorder is the pathological replay of emotional memory formed in response to painful, life-threatening, or horrifying events. In contrast, depression is often precipitated by more social context-related stressors. New data suggest that different types of life experiences can differentially impact biochemistry, physiology, anatomy, and behavior at the level of changes in gene expression. Repeated separation of neonatal rat pups from their mother results in many long-lasting alterations in biology and behavior paralleling that in depression, including hypercortisolism. The role of the amygdala in modulating emotional memory is highlighted, as well as some of its unique properties such as metaplasticity (i.e., the differential direction of long-term adaptation, either potentiation or depression) in response to the same input as a function of the prior history of stimulation. The implications of these emerging data on the physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying emotional memory emphasize the particular importance of prevention and early intervention.

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