Protein saves the memory

Special protein preserves the memory

04/07/2012

Researchers at the University of Heidelberg have found that aging of the brain and the associated impairment of memory with a decrease in the expression of the protein „Dnmt3a2“ in the hippocampus. The scientist has also succeeded in stopping or even reversing this process. In animal experiments they could the memory of old mice with the help of „Dnmt3a2“ restore.

By an artificial supply of the protein „Dnmt3a2“ In experiments in mice, a restoration of mental capacity was achieved, reports the research team led by Hilmar Bading of the Interdisciplinary Center for Neurosciences at the University of Heidelberg in the journal „Nature Neuroscience“. Whether the method can be transferred to humans, however, is doubtful, not least because the mice with the help of a virus, the virus was injected directly into the brain. However, these methods seem too risky for human use.

Decrease in cognitive skills in old age
It has long been known that „cognitive abilities decline with age, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are poorly understood“, write the researchers of the University of Heidelberg. The neurologist Hilmar Bading and colleagues found now in experiments with mice, „that aging was associated with a decrease in expression of the DNA methyltransferase "Dnmt3a2" in the hippocampus, and that maintenance of the Dnmt3a2 level was associated with restoration of cognitive functions.“ By administering the protein, the memory of older mice had significantly improved, and these could then remember as well comparable to certain situations as young animals, according to the researchers.

Intake of the protein causes improvement of the memory
After Bading and colleagues had demonstrated that in older mice the protein „Dnmt3a2“ is significantly reduced in the brain and thus could be a possible cause of impairment in cognitive performance, they tested the effects of altering the cognitive function „Dnmt3a2“-Levels on the memory of animals has. Older mice were injected directly into the brain using virus. The researchers then controlled the animals' memory by giving a mild burst of power to the mice in certain locations and observed how animals remembered this negative experience when they returned to the same location after 24 hours. The mice with good memory performance showed clear signs of anxiety, they froze as soon as they got back to the place of the electric shock. After the administration of the protein, this behavior was also found in the formerly forgetful, older animals, report Bading and colleagues. In other words, the mice had regained their memory. The connection between the protein „ Dnmt3a2“ and the memory has confirmed itself in the opposite direction, write the neurologists of the University of Heidelberg in their article in the journal „Nature Neuroscience "If the protein was reduced in the brain of juveniles, according to the statement of the researchers, the memory performance massively lost.

Restoration of the memory also in humans?
Although the administration of the protein in the mice has caused considerable increases in memory, it is unclear whether the results can be transferred to humans, explained Hilmar Bading. In principle, this would be conceivable, according to the researchers, since „the basic biochemical functions in humans are probably very similar“ However, the proof would still be provided, because „the human organism is a lot more complex.“ In addition, the administration of the protein in humans could make quite a bit more problematic, since an injection into the brain with the help of viruses probably brings too many risks. (Fp)

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Image: Dieter Schütz