Learning and memory are regulated by a region of the brain known as the hippocampus. New research from City of Hope has found that stimulating a specific gene could prompt growth – in adults – of new neurons in this critical region, leading to faster learning and better memories.
The study, which used an animal model, found that over-expressing the gene – a nuclear receptor called TLX – resulted in smart, faster learners that retained information better and longer.
“In our study, we manipulated the expression of this receptor by introducing an additional copy of the gene – which obviously we cannot do outside the laboratory setting. The next step is to find the drug that can target this same gene”said Yanhong Shi, Ph.D., lead author of the study and a neurosciences professor at City of Hope.
The discovery creates a new potential strategy for improving cognitive performance in elderly patients and those who have a neurological disease or brain injury.
The new study is the first to firmly link the TLX gene to a potential for enhancing learning and memory.
Researchers found that over-expression of the gene was actually associated with a physically larger brain, as well as the ability to learn a task quickly.
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