29 August 2002

Cognitive neuroscience: Forget protein

A study of the role of the regulatory protein PP1 (protein phosphatase 1) in the mechanisms constraining learning efficacy raises the possibility that memory loss on ageing may not necessarily be related to irreversible rundown of molecular components, but may in part be due to active intervention of PP1. PP1 is known to suppress learning and memory, as part of a complex system required in the brain to clear out unwanted memories and allow re-learning. Transgenic mice in which PP1 activity is inhibited fare better in learning and memory tests and are also less prone to forget what they have learned.

Protein phosphatase 1 is a molecular constraint on learning and memory
DAVID GENOUX, URSULA HADITSCH, MARLEN KNOBLOCH, AUBIN MICHALON, DANIEL STORM & ISABELLE M. MANSUY
Nature 418, 970–975 (2002); doi:10.1038/nature00928
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Cognitive neuroscience: The molecules of forgetfulness
ALCINO J. SILVA & SHEENA A. JOSSELYN
Not everything that we learn is useful, so the brain needs a mechanism to prevent itself being burdened by unhelpful details. The molecular details of this mechanism are now being uncovered.
Nature 418, 929–930 (2002); doi:10.1038/418929a
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