Novel tools for deciphering mechanisms associated with learning & memory developed

New Delhi (IANS) In a recent development, Indian scientists have developed a first-of-its-kind tool for understanding the process of long-term memory consolidation in the brain by capturing the neural sign from rodent brains, an official statement said.

Learning and memory are the fundamental processes of brain and are one of the most intensively studied subjects in the field of neuroscience. Learning is attributed to the acquisition of new data and memory, and retention of the acquired data leads to long-term memory (LTM) formation.

The new tool which uses the behavioural tagging model is a novel one to study LTM consolidation through behavioural analysis. On a similar line, bio-signals are now being used to explore the latent features of memory consolidation by a technique called In Vivo Electrophysiology, which can be utilised by capturing the neural signals from rodent brain under experimental conditions

This novel tool being a first of its kind in India has been developed by Prof Suhel Parvez and his group at the Department of Toxicology, School of Chemical and Life Sciences, Jamia Hamdard (Deemed to be University), New Delhi, who established the Behavioural Tagging model for understanding the process of LTM consolidation in brain. The research has recently been published in the journals 'Theranostics' and aAgeing Research Reviews'.

The researchers used the In Vivo Electrophysiology Facility established at the Department of Toxicology with the support of Department of Science and Technology (DST), under the 'Promotion of University Research and Scientific Excellence (PURSE)' programme for the capturing bio-signals for developing the behavioural tagging model.

"The facility is well equipped with several neurobehavioural apparatuses for rodents to assess parameters which are analysed by using Any-MAZE software. Also, the research on neurodegenerative disorders causing memory impairment such as Dementia, Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, and many more could utilise the findings of the work to find a direct link between the memory consolidation pathway and memory impairment mechanism in such diseased state," said Prof Parvez.