Sea snails help scientists enhance memory

Efforts to help people with learning impairments are being aided by the sea snail Aplysia californica. Neuroscientists from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston used this animal to test an innovative learning strategy. Building on earlier research that identified proteins linked to memory, the investigators created a mathematical model to predict when the activity of these proteins is aligned for the best learning experience. The strategy was used to identify times when the brain was primed for learning and learning sessions were scheduled during those peak periods. The result was a significant increase in memory. If the model proves effective in follow-up studies, it could be used to identify periods when learning potential is highest in humans. This could ultimately benefit people who have impairments resulting from aging, stroke, traumatic brain injury or congenital cognitive impairments.