[tt] Neural growth stimulating protein repairs Fragile X, possible brain steroid

[Hughes, James J.]

http://blog.wired.com/wiredscience/2007/10/researchers-res.html

Researchers Restore Disabled Mice's Ability to Learn

By Alexis Madrigal EmailOctober 05, 2007 | 2:50:44 PMCategories:
Genetics  

Jurvetson A UC-Irvine team has identified an approach to treating
Fragile X syndrome, a common hereditary form of mental retardation. 

The researchers were able to restore fragile X mice's ability to
strengthen the synapses between neurons, a process called long-term
potentiation (LTP), by adding a neuron-growth stimulating protein to the
hippocampus region of the mice's brains. Scientists believe that LTP is
the basis for learning and memory formation.

The lead author of the report, Julie Lauterborn, cautioned against
irrational exuberance about human applications. "While this discovery
doesn't identify a cure for fragile X syndrome, it provides the
scientific foundation for methods to treat its learning and memory
deficits," she said in the press release.

Fragile X syndrome is caused by a mutation to the Fmr1 gene that
disables the brain's ability to make a protein that helps cells change
in response to experience. But the Irvine researchers didn't target that
protein. Instead, they seeded fragile X knockout mice's brains with a
different protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor. They report,
in the Journal of Neuroscience, that the treatment, "fully restored
LTP."

While this sounds like good news for people (and families) dealing with
the syndrome, there could be wider reaching implications. If adding one
growth-stimulating protein to the brain helps bring impaired functioning
back, could another help us make our normal memories better-- a
"steroid" for the brain?