Projects per year
Abstract
In humans KCNQ2/3 heteromeric channels form an M-current that acts as a brake on neuronal excitability, with mutations causing a form of epilepsy. The M-current has been shown to be a key regulator of neuronal plasticity underlying associative memory and ethanol response in mammals. Previous work has shown that many of the molecules and plasticity mechanisms underlying changes in alcohol behaviour and addiction are shared with those of memory. We show that the single KCNQ channel in Drosophila (dKCNQ) when mutated show decrements in associative short- and long-term memory, with KCNQ function in the mushroom body α/β neurons being required for short-term memory. Ethanol disrupts memory in wildtype flies, but not in a KCNQ null mutant background suggesting KCNQ maybe a direct target of ethanol, the blockade of which interferes with the plasticity machinery required for memory formation. We show that as in humans, Drosophila display age-related memory impairment with the KCNQ mutant memory defect mimicking the effect of age on memory. Expression of KCNQ normally decreases in aging brains and KCNQ overexpression in the mushroom body neurons of KCNQ mutants restores age-related memory impairment. Therefore KCNQ is a central plasticity molecule that regulates age dependent memory impairment.
Original language | English |
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Article number | e62445 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | PLoS ONE |
Volume | 8 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 30 Apr 2013 |
Keywords
- KCNQ channels
- Drosophila
- associative learning
- long term memory
- ethanol-related memory impairment
- age-related memory impairment
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- 2 Finished
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How does light control the activity and electrical properties of neurons integrating arousal behaviour, circadian rhythms, and sleep?
Hodge, J. J. L. (Principal Investigator)
1/01/13 → 1/04/16
Project: Research
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THE ROLE OF PDZ SCAFFOLD CASK AND CAMKII SIGNALLING IN SYNAPIC PLASTICITY AND LEARNING
Hodge, J. J. L. (Principal Investigator)
1/06/09 → 1/06/12
Project: Research