The long-terms goals of this research are to understand the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying mammalian learning and memory. Experiments performed during the last few years have provided a relatively detailed and testable model describing a complex cascade of biochemical events leading from certain patterns of electrical activity to long term changes in synaptic efficacy. Dr. Michel Baudry will continue his work on synaptic plasticity by using electrophysiological and biochemical techniques to evaluate the roles of regulatory mechanisms involved in the modulation of the properties of glutamate receptor subtypes in long-term potentiation and long-term depression in the hippocampus. This work will be performed on mice, some of which are genetically different from others. Information obtained should provide a more refined description of the mechanisms underlying learning and memory not only in adults, but also during the postnatal development period and to relate learning abilities to different genotypes. This research has broad implications as it might provide not only fundamental knowledge concerning cognitive processes but also tools to alleviate learning disorders during development.
