THURSDAY, April 8, 2004 (HealthDayNews) -- Lack of a brain protein called RIM1 alpha causes serious learning and memory problems in mice, says a study by researchers at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.
The study, published this week in the journal Neuron, provides the first evidence that the absence of this protein causes serious deficits in the learning process. The research adds to scientists' understanding of the molecular processes associated with memory and learning.
These complex processes can be impaired in people with Alzheimer's disease, mental retardation, schizophrenia, and other human neuropsychiatric disorders.
"This is the first indication that these proteins could be good targets for treatment of specific brain disorders," study lead author Dr. Craig Powell, assistant professor of psychiatry and neurology, said in a prepared statement.
He and his colleagues compared behaviors of normal mice to three kinds of genetically altered mice. Each group of genetically altered mice was lacking a specific protein involved in releasing neurotransmitters.
The mice lacking the RIM1 protein were the only group of mice unable to learn the location of an escape platform in a pool, despite repeated attempts over several days.
More information
The U.S. National Institute on Aging has information about Alzheimer's disease.
