Long-term Memory Disrupted Genetically In Fruit Flies; Drug Found To Help Them Regain Memories
Wednesday, December 17, 2008 - 23:28
in Psychology & Sociology
A pediatric neuroscientist has shown that genetically disrupting a specific gene in a fruit fly's brain will wipe out its long-term memory. The researcher has also found a class of drugs that helps fruit flies with this disrupted gene to regain their memories. The news is significant for humans, because the gene, Fragile X Mental Retardation, malfunctions in people with intellectual disabilities and there are currently no clinically available treatments.