It's all about timing.
In the formation of long-term memories, a "spaced" distribution of study sessions is more beneficial than closely spaced "massed" study sessions. Pagani et al. (2009) examine the molecular basis of this spacing effect in Drosophila and find a role for the SHP2 homolog, corkscrew, an activator of Ras/MAPK signaling, in establishing optimal spacing intervals.
Philips
Gary T
GT
Department of Neurobiology and Behavior and the Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, CA 92607-4450, USA.
Carew
Thomas J
TJ
D000818:Animals; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System; D008568:Memory; D054558:Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases, Non-Receptor / Q000378:metabolism*
D029721:Drosophila Proteins; C098692:Csw protein, Drosophila; D054558:Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases, Non-Receptor