Researchers Investigate How Memories Are Made and Mental Illness Can Be Avoided

Johns Hopkins scientists say they have new clues as to how memories are made as well as how drugs might someday be used to stop disruptions in the process that lead to mental illness and brain-wasting diseases. They came to these conclusions after studying tiny bits of genetic material that control protein formation in the brain.

According to research that appears in the March 2 issue of Cell, the researchers report that certain microRNAs — genetic elements that control which proteins get turned into cells —  are the key to controlling the actions of what they call brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), long linked to brain cell survival, normal learning and memory boosting. For more information, click here to read the full release.