Cognitive and memory loss disorders affect a large part of the US population, and as life expectancy of humans continues to increase, the occurrence of late onset disorders leading to behavioral deficits and memory loss is on the rise. The molecular basis of long-term memory of learned behaviors is poorly understood, and thus any molecular genetic insights into the mechanisms of learning and memory will have broad and possibly profound implications for the prevention, treatment and reversal of memory loss in humans. We propose to test the hypothesis that epigenetic factors play critical functions in maintenance of long- term memory. By using Drosophila we will explore the possible function of epigenetic factors and will investigate models that will address the interactions among learned behaviors and epigenetic processes during maintenance of long- term memory over time.

Public Health Relevance

Cognitive and memory loss disorders affect a large part of the US population, and as life expectancy of humans continues to increase, the occurrence of late onset disorders leading to behavioral deficits and memory loss is on the rise. We will explore the possible function of epigenetic factors and will investigate models that will address the interactions among learned behaviors and epigenetic processes during maintenance of long-term memory.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
The Career Enhancement Award (K18)
Project #
1K18GM097732-01
Application #
8033641
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-BBBP-L (52))
Program Officer
Carter, Anthony D
Project Start
2010-09-30
Project End
2011-07-31
Budget Start
2010-09-30
Budget End
2011-07-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2010
Total Cost
$33,502
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Arizona
Department
Biology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
806345617
City
Tucson
State
AZ
Country
United States
Zip Code
85721
Kacsoh, Balint Z; Bozler, Julianna; Ramaswami, Mani et al. (2015) Social communication of predator-induced changes in Drosophila behavior and germ line physiology. Elife 4:
Kacsoh, Balint Z; Bozler, Julianna; Hodge, Sassan et al. (2015) A novel paradigm for nonassociative long-term memory in Drosophila: predator-induced changes in oviposition behavior. Genetics 199:1143-57