Making memories: insight into how learning strengthens the ties between neurons

February 21, 2008 | Source: Technology Review

Scripps Research Institute researchers pinpointed the precise cellular connections that form as a memory is created, by tracing a fluorescently tagged protein making its way to particular synapses.

Glutamate receptor protein (green) in neuronal cell bodies (blue)

Glutamate receptor protein (green) in neuronal cell bodies (blue)

The tagged glutamate receptor protein was modified so that neurons would only manufacture it when they became active. As the genetically engineered mice learned to fear an electric shock, the protein migrated through individual neurons, from the cell body out through the branching dendrites, with the green glow identifying which neurons contributed to memory formation.