Award details

Genes involved in learning and memory

Reference	BBS/E/B/47961420
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Keith Kendrick
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	Babraham Institute
Department	Babraham Institute Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	44,908
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/04/1997
End date	30/09/1999
Duration	30 months

Abstract

This project will develop a number of behavioural testing paradigms to assess locomotor, motivational and cognitive behaviours in mice in order to assess the effects of gene knock-outs or overexpression using transgenic animals. These testing paradigms will be used to assess the functional roles of the neuronal nitric oxide synthase gene, responsible for producing nitric oxide, and the calcium binding protein gene, calbindin D28K. To do this transgenic animals lacking these genes will be compared with wild type controls. Additionally in vitro sampling methods will be developed to investigate the effects of these gene knock-outs on the regulation of nitric oxide and classical neurotransmitter release using both brain slices and organotypic slice cultures. The importance of these genes for ageing induced cognitive decline and altered neurotransmitter function will also be assessed. This project aims to identify the function of specific genes in cognitive processes and ageing and is therefore directly relevant to Foresight H&LS priorities in Integrative Biology, molecular and cellular Neurobiology, cognitive sciences and Ageing. Likely benefits and outputs will be increased understanding of the genes involved in plastic changes in the nervous system underlying learning and memory and in their decline during normal ageing. Exploitability: The development of objective methods for establishing cognitive, motivational and locomotor deficits in genetically altered mice may be commercially valuable and provide a basis for their use as models for testing drug or gene therapy treatments for enhancing cognitive abilities and/or preventing their decline.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Animal Sciences (AS)
Research Topics	X – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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