Molecular Mechanisms for Changing Brain Connectivity in Mice and Humans.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Molecular Biology
• Genetics

Background:

• The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and hippocampus (HC) are critical brain regions for learning.
• Previous research established the involvement of ACC and HC in a two-choice visuospatial discrimination task.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate shared molecular mechanisms underlying learning in mice and humans.
• To identify candidate genes upregulated in the mouse ACC and HC during a learning task.

Main Methods:

• Gene expression analysis in mouse brain regions (ACC and HC) and blood following a learning task.
• Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to compare gene expression in mouse and human blood samples.
• Investigated gene expression changes in humans after working memory (network training) or meditation.

Main Results:

• Two genes, caspase recruitment domain-containing protein 6 (Card6) and inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase 2 (Impdh2), were upregulated in mouse brain and blood after learning.
• Card6 showed significant upregulation in humans post-training, while Impdh2 trended toward upregulation.
• Both identified genes are known to modulate pathways involving nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), linked to synaptic plasticity and learning.

Conclusions:

• Card6 and Impdh2 represent potential molecular commonalities in the learning process across species.
• These findings suggest a conserved genetic basis for learning, potentially mediated by NF-κB signaling pathways.
• Further research can explore the precise roles of Card6 and Impdh2 in cognitive functions and synaptic plasticity.