Grant: Project Grant

Over the last few decades, neuroscientists have tried to better understand the different phases of memory. Researchers now know more about the mechanisms involved in the learning and storage of memories. However, very little is known about remembering. Even though people suffering from conditions such as Alzheimer's disease or amnesia have difficulties remembering, a lot less effort has been made to study this memory phase because it was traditionally believed to be only an automatic process. Some recent studies, nevertheless, are now showing that remembering seems to require a number of active neurobiological mechanisms similar to learning and memory storage. The experiments described in this research proposal therefore aim to better understand the mechanisms involved in remembering. Using rodents, this project will investigate which molecules in the brain are necessary for remembering, and will explore possible ways to facilitate it in cases of temporary memory loss. Indeed, people suffering from amnesia or Alzheimer's disease could have a deficit in these molecules which prevents them from recalling memories. If the molecules needed to remember are identified, and the mechanisms better understood, it would be possible to use these molecules as therapeutic targets to help these patients remember.