該研究團隊,由 Yingxi Lin 所領導(MIT McGovern 腦研究所的成員),他們聚焦在 Npas4 基因上,這個基因在先前研究中已證實會隨著新的經歷而立即開啟。該基因在海馬迴(hippocampus)格外活躍,這個腦部構造已知對長期記憶的形成相當關鍵。
Lin 與她的同僚發現,Npas4 會開啟其他一連串基因,那藉由調整突觸的強度或神經元間的連結而改變腦的內部連線(internal wiring,譯註:可程式化電路?)。”這是一種能使「經歷」與「最終迴路變化」產生連結的基因,” Lin 表示。Lin是Frederick and Carole Middleton 腦與認知科學生涯發展助理教授(Career Development Assistant Professor)。
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為了研究記憶形成的基因機制,研究者研究一種稱為脈絡恐懼制約(contextual fear conditioning)的學習類型:當老鼠進入一特殊小室時,會受到溫和的電擊。在幾分鐘內,老鼠學會了對這間小室產生恐懼,而且當牠們下一次進入那間小室時,牠們會呆住不動。
研究者們證明,Npas4 在這種制約非常早期的階段就已經開啟了。”這使得 Npas4 有別於其他活性調控基因,” Lin 表示。”它們之中有許多因受到各種不同的刺激而被廣泛地誘發;它們並非真的以學習為主(learning-specific)。”
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