Brain Science Institute, RIKEN, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan.
Mol Brain. 2012 Sep 21;5:32. doi: 10.1186/1756-6606-5-32.
Memories are stored within neuronal ensembles in the brain. Modern genetic techniques can be used to not only visualize specific neuronal ensembles that encode memories (e.g., fear, craving) but also to selectively manipulate those neurons. These techniques are now being expanded for the study of various types of memory. In this review, we will summarize the genetic methods used to visualize and manipulate neurons involved in the representation of memory engrams. The methods will help clarify how memory is encoded, stored and processed in the brain. Furthermore, these approaches may contribute to our understanding of the pathological mechanisms associated with human memory disorders and, ultimately, may aid the development of therapeutic strategies to ameliorate these diseases.
记忆存储在大脑中的神经元集合中。现代遗传技术不仅可以用来可视化编码记忆（例如，恐惧，渴望）的特定神经元集合，还可以选择性地操纵这些神经元。这些技术现在正在扩展到各种类型记忆的研究中。在这篇综述中，我们将总结用于可视化和操纵参与记忆痕迹表示的神经元的遗传方法。这些方法将有助于阐明记忆在大脑中是如何编码、存储和处理的。此外，这些方法可能有助于我们理解与人类记忆障碍相关的病理机制，并最终有助于开发改善这些疾病的治疗策略。
