A small peptide from a neuronal cell adhesion molecule enhances synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus and results in improved cognitive performance in rats.

No abstract

Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (WASP) -interacting protein (WIP) is an actin-binding protein involved in the regulation of actin polymerization in cells, such as fibroblasts and lymphocytes. Despite its recognized function in non-neuronal cells, the role of WIP in the central nervous system has not been examined previously. We used WIP-deficient mice to examine WIP function both in vivo and in vitro. We report here that WIP(-)(/-) hippocampal neurons exhibit enlargement of somas as well as overgrowth of neuritic and dendritic branches that are more evident in early developmental stages. Dendritic arborization and synaptogenesis, which includes generation of postsynaptic dendritic spines, are actin-dependent processes that occur in parallel at later stages. WIP deficiency also increases the amplitude and frequency of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents, suggesting that WIP(-)(/-) neurons have more mature synapses than wild-type neurons. These findings reveal WIP as a previously unreported regulator of neuronal maturation and synaptic activity.

Resumo O presente estudo testou a eficácia de vários excertos musicais na indução dos seguintes quatro estados emocionais específicos: a tristeza, a alegria, o medo e a raiva Indução de emoções através de breves excertos musicaisPatrícia Arriaga Ana Franco Patrícia Campos Centro de Investigação e Intervenção Social (CIS-ISCTE/IUL)Agradecimentos: As autoras agradecem a disponibilidade e a colaboração totalmente voluntária dos participantes. Um agradecimento especial à Dra. Bárbara Villalobos pelos seus comentários e interpretação musical dos excertos e ao Dr. Eric Eich pela cedência de alguns excertos musicais utilizados. A correspondência relativa a este artigo deverá ser enviada para: Patrícia Arriaga,