|
|
NOVA scienceNOW: Of Mice and Memory
|
|
|
|
Program Overview
|
|
|
This segment describes the learning and memory experiments
Alzheimer's researchers perform on mice to better understand the
disease and whether memory can be restored.
This NOVA scienceNOW segment:
-
states that Alzheimer's disease robs people of their memories
and personality.
-
theorizes that environmental enrichment promotes brain nerve
cell connections and rewiring, resulting in a higher level of
memory function.
-
describes the experiments in which mice learn the location of a
pool exit. Researchers then use a toxin to impair the memory of
some of the mice, making them unable to find the exit. After
environmental enrichment (i.e., cages with more equipment), this
memory is restored, enabling the mice to again locate the pool
exit.
-
presents examples of people regaining parts of their
personalities and memory after being moved from sterile,
assisted-living environments to more stimulating ones.
-
explains that in brain nerve cell nuclei, DNA is often tightly
coiled around spool-like proteins called histones, hiding some
learning and memory genes. However, when the DNA loosens, these
genes become exposed and available for transcription. As this
happens, nerve cells make more and stronger connections with
each other.
-
notes that the mice that regained their memories after
environmental enrichment had "loosened" histone DNA coils, which
allowed their memory genes to become exposed and active.
-
reports that certain experimental drugs can help loosen the DNA
in brain nerve cells and have helped mice with damaged brain
cells regain memories.
-
postulates that in the future, specific medicines may be
developed to help people regain memories lost because of brain
disease or damage.
Taping Rights: Can be used up to one year after the program
is taped off the air.
|
|
