New neurons essential for spatial memory
Published: Feb. 11, 2008 at 2:13 PM
Print story Email to a friend Font size:SAN DIEGO, Feb. 11 (UPI) --
U.S. researchers have discovered neurogenesis -- the birth and growth
of new neurons -- is essential for spatial memory to develop in mice.
The Salk Institute researchers said their findings might lead to the
eventual development of drugs that improve memory in humans by
stimulating neurogenesis.
"Our study directly establishes that neurogenesis plays an important
role in a defined process, the acquisition and storage of spatial
memory," said Professor Ronald Evans, who led the study. "This
finding puts us in a new and important position to exploit the
potential of stem cell-based therapies to improve brain function in
neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's that are accompanied
by a loss of memory."
Evans and his research team, including first author Chun-Li Zhang,
developed a mechanism for keeping neural stem cells in a
proliferative state, leading to the birth of new neurons Without that
mechanism in place, mice performed poorly in a test of analytical
skills, learning and memory and the ability to form strategies.
In contrast, mice having proliferative neural stem cells demonstrated
superior performance in the test.
The study appeared in the Jan. 31 online issue of the journal Nature.
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StemCells subscribers may also be interested in these sites:
Children's Neurobiological Solutions
http://www.CNSfoundation.org/
Cord Blood Registry
http://www.CordBlood.com/at.cgi?a=150123
The CNS Healing Group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CNS_Healing
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