Methods and compositions for regulating memory consolidation
OwnerCristina M. Alberini, Mark F. Bearinventors
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Abstract
The present invention is based on the discovery of genes that are up- or down-regulated in inhibitory avoidance, e.g., long-term memory, which genes are therefor believed to have roles in memory consolidation. In particular, we have discovered that memory consolidation involves the regulation of expression of such genes as zif268 (EGR1), insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), glutamate receptor 1 (GluR1), glutamate receptor 2 (GluR2), c/EBPβ and VGF. For ease of reading, these genes are collectively referred to herein as “LTM genes”, and their encoded proteins as “LTM proteins”.
Claims26
A method for modulating long term memory consolidation in an animal comprising treating an animal with an agent that modulates the activity of one or more of zif268, insulin-like growth factor, glutamate receptor 1 (GluR1), glutamate receptor 2 (GluR2), c/EBPβ and VGF.
A method for enhancing long term memory consolidation in an animal comprising treating an animal with an agent that modulates a signal transduction pathway of glutamate receptor 1 (GluR1) or glutamate receptor 2 (GluR2), which agent is a ligand for the GluR1 or GluR2 receptor.
A method for identifying an agent which modulates memory consolidation, comprising,
- (i) providing a reaction system for detecting the activity of a product encoded by a gene selected from the group consisting of of zif268, insulin-like growth factor, glutamate receptor 1 (GluR1), glutamate receptor 2 (GluR2), c/EBPβ and VGF;
- (ii) contacting said system with a test compound;
- and
- (iii) determining if the test compound alters the activity of the gene product.
A method for identifying an agent which modulates memory consolidation, comprising,
- (i) providing a reaction system for detecting the level of expression of a gene selected from the group consisting of of zif 268, insulin-like growth factor, glutamate receptor 1 (GluR1), glutamate receptor 2 (GluR2), c/EBPβ and VGF;
- (ii) contacting said system with a test compound;
- and
- (iii) determining if the test compound alters the level of expression of the gene.
A method for assessing a patient for learning and/or memory functional performance including a step of detecting the expression of a gene selected from the group consisting of of zif 268, insulin-like growth factor, glutamate receptor 1 (GluR1), glutamate receptor 2 (GluR2), c/EBPβ and VGF, or the level of activity of a gene product thereof, in the patient's hippocampus.
A method for assessing a patient for learning and/or memory functional performance including a step of detecting the expression of, or a mutation in, one or more genes selected from the group consisting of zif 268, insulin-like growth factor, glutamate receptor 1 (GluR1), glutamate receptor 2 (GluR2), c/EBPβ and VGF, or the level of activity of the gene products thereof, (optionally) in the patient's hippocampus.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.