Recovery of learning and memory is associated with chromatin remodelling
2007 | journal article; research paper. A publication with affiliation to the University of Göttingen.
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- Authors
- Fischer, Andre ; Sananbenesi, Farahnaz ; Wang, Xinyu; Dobbin, Matthew M.; Tsai, Li-Huei
- Abstract
- Neurodegenerative diseases of the central nervous system are often associated with impaired learning and memory, eventually leading to dementia. An important aspect in pre-clinical research is the exploration of strategies to re-establish learning ability and access to long-term memories. By using a mouse model that allows temporally and spatially restricted induction of neuronal loss, we show here that environmental enrichment reinstated learning behaviour and re-established access to long-term memories after significant brain atrophy and neuronal loss had already occurred. Environmental enrichment correlated with chromatin modifications ( increased histone-tail acetylation). Moreover, increased histone acetylation by inhibitors of histone deacetylases induced sprouting of dendrites, an increased number of synapses, and reinstated learning behaviour and access to long-term memories. These data suggest that inhibition of histone deacetylases might be a suitable therapeutic avenue for neurodegenerative diseases associated with learning and memory impairment, and raises the possibility of recovery of long-term memories in patients with dementia.
- Issue Date
- 2007
- Journal
- Nature
- ISSN
- 0028-0836
- Language
- English