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FOR THE FIRST time two genes involved in many neurological diseases have been proven to act together to allow the development of a simple form of memory called habituation.
The discovery made by scientists in Trinity College Dublin found that the two genes regulate specific aspects of protein production in nerve cells. The findings have implications for our understanding of memory formation in general, and will also aid ongoing research in related diseases.
Regular activities
Habituation occurs when we are repeatedly exposed to a stimulus and our response is lessened over time as a result due to the regularity of it.
Two everyday examples include our ability to stop hearing ambient noise when concentrating on a particular task, and the fact that we stop feeling the clothes we are wearing once we are dressed.
Working with fruit flies, the scientists explored the fundamentals of memory and learning and investigated the molecular function of the two genes, called Atx2 and FMRP.
Fruit flies
The scientists, led by Professor of Neurogenetics at Trinity, Mani Ramaswami found that fruit flies that normally learned to ignore a familiar, unpleasant smell, failed to do so if they had defects in either gene.
The two genes are linked to Motor Neurone Disease, Spinocerebellar Ataxia type 2 and Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Professor Ramaswami said:
This work may provide a partial explanation not only for defects in memory consolidation that is associated with early-stage neurodegenerative disease, but also for defects in adaptive ability seen in autism spectrum disorders.
To read the full published study, click here.
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I read the headline and then then the next line about fruit flies and for a second I was very confused as to why fruit flies would need clothes! I appolagise it’s early and my brain hasn’t had its coffee yet!
Spell check Rachel, I APOlOGIZE for the pedantics.
…if you’re American. ‘Round these parts, we spell it apologise.
Great bit of research.
Burrrrnnn
Did you not read her comment? She hasn’t had her coffee yet.
If that’s for me Ciara, I was directing my comment at Robert (love correcting grammar nazis!)
But I should have been clearer – I was also without coffee at the time; three cups up now and still not on top of my game.
Jeeze relax Robert (mutters to self: “there’s always one”) as for the lovely ladies who actually got and defended my comment thank you! ……Oh and merry christmas ladies, hope ye all have a wonderful holiday :)
This article is very poorly written as there are some huge benefits to habituation and this is actually great news that they are making a breakthrough in this area. Tens of thousands of people in Ireland
Suffer from tinnitus. It can be seriously debilitating and if you can’t habituate to it can lead to prolonged stress anxiety and depression. Another issue is chronic pain management. If there is no cure for your condition and the only way to treat it is with powerful pain killers then habituation could be hugely beneficial. Well done trinity for the breakthrough and long may it continue.
This is what we should be spending money on not throwing into the septic tank that is welfare. I really cannot see the value in wasting good money on useless people
Is your real name enda kenny? Such a useless comment from somebody who has probably never been unemployed due to having a relative who knows somebody who knows somebody.
Assuming people who have no job are useless is a bit …. well useless.
Welfare also includes child support which your mother most likely availed of to raise you
But hey, your right, fcuk logic!!
Enda…….Sheer ignorance.
I have Aspergers syndrome, which is an an autism spectrum disorder. I also have a PhD from Trinity College, in geology.
As a child I suffered allot from sensory sensitivities, clothes itched terribly, especially wool. Imagine wearing clothes made of glass fibre. I fainted in class because of the smell of the paper used in art class. On a school tour I had to stand up on the tour bus as the seats were too itchy. I’m still very sensitive to sound.
I have friend with Aspergers who was bullied by school bullies who would scratch their nails across their school bags, the sound caused her physical pain. She’s still frightened, traumatised, by the sound of material, clothes / bags, making any sort of scratching sound.
These problem lessens for some with age, but not all. This research is welcome. It certainly will one day help young children with autism avoid the difficulties with debilitating sensory sensitivity.
Well said David!!
I too am picturing fruit flies in little hats n gloves….and ugg boots :)))
Good comment. Just wait for 5 hours until the useless people wake up so they can reply to your comment!
for Enda (purple egg)
Was my reply early enough for you? By the way i work but this attitude towards the unemployed makes me sick. 14% unemployment even after mass emigration yet a few years ago we had 3 % unemployment. Are all those people useless???
Ruari if you have a phd and are fluent in say 5 languages then I would pity you if you were on welfare, anyone else well they are just not worth bothering about
Enda i emigrated to get work but i know lots of good people, some educated and some not who are not in a position to emigrate and cannot find work. They are not useless. Thats a very narrow minded view you have. About 3% dont want to work. In economic terms 3% is full employment.
Bandy – not to mention the doctors, nurses, guards, taxi, drivers, shift workers ect that were working last night.
Guess those genes don’t work when my jocks get in a bunch. I can assure you I feel that when it happens!!
Culchies… How do they explain the track suit bottoms & shoes or the wranglers & mucky work boots to the pub??
Couldn’t be stupidity that the Irish pay tax on their Family Homes to bail out the banks.
Must be genetic. What do you think Profs?
Get a real job for god sake , no one cares
Love it bud
Beam us all up Enda to your utopian planet. On second thoughts…
Hope they find the gene as to why potential scientists waste time on pointless research and eradicate it.
And the above comment is why we shid no waste any money on the underclasses their brains aren’t developed enough to contribute to society
I shid u not :)
You shid have spent more time in English class buddy.
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