Analysis on mechanism of hippocampus-dependent long-term memory via theanine-mediated enhancement of memory

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26460172
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Environmental and hygienic pharmacy
• Research Institution: University of Shizuoka
• Principal Investigator: Tamano Haruna 静岡県立大学, 薬学部, 特任講師 (30322697)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 記憶 / LTP / 亜鉛 / 海馬

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The present study demonstrated that intake of theanine, a major component of amino acids in green tea, enhances hippocampal neurogenesis, which is related to long-term memory, followed by enhancement of hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP), a cellular mechanism of memory. On the other hand, the present study revealed that intracellular zinc signaling in the glutamatergic synapses in the hippocampus is necesarry for not only memory acquisition but also memory retention via LTP induction and its maintenance. And, the present study indicates that increase in Zn2+ influx into dentate granule cells through AMPA receptors, a subtype of glutamate receptor, loses maintained LTP and memory. Regulation of Zn2+ influx into dentate granule cells is more critical for not only memory acquisition but also memory retention than that of Ca2+ influx.

Free Research Field

神経科学