Research article summary (published 14 Oct 2009):

Molecular and cellular approaches to memory allocation in neural circuits.

Full Abstract

Although memory allocation is a subject of active research in computer science, little is known about how the brain allocates information within neural circuits. There is an extensive literature on how specific types of memory engage different parts of the brain, and how neurons in these regions process and store information. Until recently, however, the mechanisms that determine how specific cells and synapses within a neural circuit (and not their neighbors) are recruited during learning have received little attention. Recent findings suggest that memory allocation is not random, but rather specific mechanisms regulate where information is stored within a neural circuit. New methods that allow tagging, imaging, activation, and inactivation of neurons in behaving animals promise to revolutionize studies of brain circuits, including memory allocation. Results from these studies are likely to have a considerable impact on computer science, as well as on the understanding of memory and its disorders.

Author information

Author/s: Silva, Alcino J (AJ); Zhou, Yu (Y); Rogerson, Thomas (T); Shobe, Justin (J); Balaji, J (J);

Affiliation: Department of Neurobiology, University of California, Los Angeles, 695 Charles Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1761, USA. silvaa(-atsign-)ucla.edu

Grants: P50-MH0779720 (Agency:NIMH NIH HHS) ; R37-AG013622 (Agency:NIA NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural; Review

Journal: Science (New York, N.Y.) (Science), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Oct; vol 326 (issue 5951) : pp 391-5

Dates: Created 2009/10/16; Completed 2009/10/26;

PMID: 19833959, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 10/26/2009, 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.

Action Potentials Animals Brain - physiology Brain Mapping Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein - physiology Dendrites - physiology Hippocampus - physiology

Memory - physiology Models, Neurological Nerve Net - physiology Neural Pathways - physiology Neurogenesis Neurons - physiology Synapses - physiology

Associated Chemicals: Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein (0)

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