Research article summary (published 8 Sep 2009):

NCS-1 in the dentate gyrus promotes exploration, synaptic plasticity, and rapid acquisition of spatial memory.

Full Abstract

The molecular underpinnings of exploration and its link to learning and memory remain poorly understood. Here we show that inducible, modest overexpression of neuronal calcium sensor 1 (Ncs1) selectively in the adult murine dentate gyrus (DG) promotes a specific form of exploratory behavior. The mice also display a selective facilitation of long-term potentiation (LTP) in the medial perforant path and a selective enhancement in rapid-acquisition spatial memory, phenotypes that are reversed by direct application of a cell-permeant peptide (DNIP) designed to interfere with NCS-1 binding to the dopamine type-2 receptor (D2R). Moreover, the DNIP and the D2R-selective antagonist L-741,626 attenuated exploratory behavior, DG LTP, and spatial memory in control mice. These data demonstrate a role for NCS-1 and D2R in DG plasticity and provide insight for understanding how the DG contributes to the origin of exploration and spatial memory acquisition.

Author information

Author/s: Saab, Bechara J (BJ); Georgiou, John (J); Nath, Arup (A); Lee, Frank J S (FJ); Wang, Min (M); Michalon, Aubin (A); Liu, Fang (F); Mansuy, Isabelle M (IM); Roder, John C (JC);

Affiliation: Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON, M5G 1X5, Canada. saab(-atsign-)lunenfeld.ca

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: In Vitro; Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Neuron (Neuron), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Sep; vol 63 (issue 5) : pp 643-56

Dates: Created 2009/09/16; Completed 2009/10/13;

PMID: 19755107, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 10/13/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Animals Cell Membrane - metabolism Dentate Gyrus - drug effects; physiology Dopamine Antagonists - pharmacology Exploratory Behavior - drug effects; physiology Indoles - pharmacology Learning - drug effects; physiology Long-Term Potentiation - drug effects; physiology Maze Learning - drug effects; physiology Memory - drug effects; physiology Mice Mice, Transgenic

Mice, Transgenic Models, Neurological Motor Activity - drug effects; physiology Neuronal Calcium-Sensor Proteins - metabolism Neuropeptides - metabolism Neuropsychological Tests Piperidines - pharmacology Rats Receptors, Dopamine D2 - antagonists & inhibitors; metabolism Recognition (Psychology) - drug effects; physiology Space Perception - drug effects; physiology Time Factors

Associated Chemicals: Dopamine Antagonists (0) ; Indoles (0) ; Neuronal Calcium-Sensor Proteins (0) ; Neuropeptides (0) ; Piperidines (0) ; Receptors, Dopamine D2 (0) ; frequenin calcium sensor proteins (0) ; L 741626 (81226-60-0)

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