The matter of mind: molecular control of memory.
A widely accepted hypothesis suggests that changes in synaptic strength underlie the formation of memories in the brain. LTP is a mechanism of synaptic strengthening. Induction of LTP depends on NMDA receptor activation, and its expression depends in part on protein kinase activity. Studies of knock-out mice suggest that LTP is critical for hippocampus-based memory. Genetic studies in Drosophila implicate cAMP metabolism in classical conditioning, a form of unconscious memory. Consolidating memories for long-term retention depends on the cAMP-inducible transcription factor CREB.
Huang
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EP
Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Salk Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
Stevens
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CF
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000502:physiology; D017362:Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein / Q000502:physiology; D004330:Drosophila / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D017774:Long-Term Potentiation / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains; D018091:Receptors, AMPA / Q000502:physiology; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000502:physiology; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology
D017362:Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein; D018091:Receptors, AMPA; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D000242:Cyclic AMP