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PISCATAWAY, N.J., Aug. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Researchers at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School have discovered a key memory gene, Rab3A (pronounced rab-3-A).  They found the gene necessary in allowing memory neurons in the brain to converse more fluently with each other, as measured by electrical impulses.  Electrical activity between neurons in the hippocampus has been found crucial to short term memory (which would allow you to recall such things as where you put your keys or the route from work to home) or long-term memory (a birthday party a decade ago, or even the nuances of your first romantic kiss).  The study is published in the September 1 issue of The Journal of Neuroscience.

In the presence of the Rab3A gene, the hormone BDNF caused a 200-300% increase in the electrical communication between neighbor neurons.  In cells lacking Rab3A, the hormone caused no increase.

Researchers believe the study may play a role in helping to unlock some of the mysteries of memory -- defining the genomics of memory formation at the single neuron level, understanding forgetfulness as well as dementia, allowing us to identify sick cells as well as super cells, ultimately opening the door for novel treatment of memory deficits.

"The findings allow us to associate gene action with the precise electrical communicative function of a single memory cell," explains lead investigator Ira Black, MD, Professor and Chair of the Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.  "This brings us a step closer to understanding the secret of memory," he added.

The study was unique in its focus at the single cell level.

"Driving analysis down to the single cell level is crucial," notes Dr. Black.  "It's a bit like making sense of a single conversation versus deciphering the roar of 50,000 screaming fans at Yankee stadium.  This may indicate how the many individual conversations that neurons hold lead to the overall multidimensional memories that we form.  For example," he explained, "we seem to remember the image, the aroma and the movement of a rose simultaneously.  Understanding why and how we do that may help us better understand how to recapture the ability to remember when the capacity has been lost or damaged."

Dr. Black also hypothesized that a number of genes would be discovered essential for memory and suggested that future treatments for memory deficits would involve therapies to target the key dozen or more trigger genes.

Study Design  

In the study, memory cells from the rat brain were grown in culture.  In the presence of the brain hormone BDNF, electrical conversations between the nerve cells increased dramatically.  In the absence of the Rab3A gene, this increase failed to occur.

Practical Tips to Improve Memory Now  

Until the researchers' findings can be translated into the discovery of new treatments for memory disorders, Dr. Black offers some practical, everyday tips to improve memory:  

1. Use images.  If you're going to leave your keys in the kitchen,  

envision a big key on the front of your refrigerator, or an ice cube  

with a key frozen in it  

2. If you're studying for exams, driver's ed or even learning a new  

language, spread out the learning over several sessions as opposed to  

cramming the night before the test.

3. Learn and then get a good night's sleep.  During sleep, the memory  

center appears to rehearse the day's adventures, improving memory  

4. And don't underestimate the power of caring.  It's much easier to  

remember those things we care about.  And if you keep forgetting your  

loved one's birthday or your wedding anniversary, maybe that's saying  

more than you know!

Dr. Black is the author of "The Death of Enoch Wallace -- Life, Death, and the Changing Brain" -- a layman's guide to understanding memory and brain disorders, the promise of stem cell research and many other exciting advances to come.