The gene, known as KDM5B, has been connected to certain intellectual disability disorders and autism. Some variations are also linked to decreased brain function in the general population, but not enough to cause obvious disability or behavioral symptoms.
However, a study conducted by researchers from King’s College London, the University of Exeter, and the University of Nottingham found that the gene plays a role in regulating learning and memory in mice. This discovery could have implications for understanding and potentially treating intellectual disabilities and autism in humans.
Researchers at the University of California Irvine discovered that when the gene in the brain is not functioning properly, it leads to a decline in learning and memory, as well as a decrease in the brain’s ability to strengthen connections between neurons, which is important for forming memories. The team conducted a new study on mice, which was published in the Journal of Neuroscience, and found that mice bred without a fully functional KDM5B gene performed poorly in learning and memory tasks. To ensure that this was not due to an impact on brain development, the researchers also reduced the amount of this gene in a separate group of adult mice.In the hippocampus, which is responsible for memory, researchers discovered that a decrease in gene function led to epileptic seizures in some mice and a decline in their learning and memory. Experiments in the lab indicated that the strengthening of connections between neurons during memory formation was reduced.
Professor Albert Basson, whose team initially conducted the study at King’s College London before relocating to the University of Exeter, stated: “Memory and learning are essential to our cognitive abilities, but there is still much to be understood about the underlying mechanisms. For over ten years, the KDM5 gene has been investigated for its potential role in these processes.B gene has been associated with autism and certain types of cognitive impairment, but a mutation in this gene by itself is not always enough to cause these conditions, so it has not been extensively studied. Our research demonstrates that KDM5B plays a crucial role in learning and memory, shedding new light on the fundamental processes of memory and learning, which is vital in the quest for new methods to enhance these functions.”
KDM5B has the ability to alter the structure of the genetic material in our cells, determining whether genes essential for brain development or function are expressed at the appropriate level and time.
Dr. LeticiPeres-Sisquez, who conducted the study at King’s College London, stated, “Our goal was to examine whether the ability of KDM5B to modify genetic material directly affects learning and memory. We have found that the gene does indeed have a direct impact on learning and memory, separate from any effects during brain development. This discovery makes the gene much more interesting to researchers seeking new treatments for conditions such as autism and other intellectual disabilities.” The research received funding from the Medical Research Council and the National Institutes of Aging .
