R35NS122316

Translational Control in Memory and Brain Disorders - Project Summary/Abstract

Over the last 15 years, several laboratories, including my laboratory, have identified multiple signaling pathways that regulate translation via the translation initiation factors eIF4E and eIF2A during protein synthesis-dependent forms of long-lasting synaptic plasticity and various memory processes in rodents. These processes include the consolidation, reconsolidation, and extinction of auditory and contextual threat memory. These findings have generated much excitement because they demonstrate the complex biochemical regulation of translation during synaptic plasticity and memory.

Despite this progress, a number of critical and unresolved questions regarding the requirement for de novo protein synthesis in memory consolidation remain unanswered. We plan to focus on auditory and contextual threat memory to determine the cell types in the amygdala and hippocampus, respectively, that require eIF4E- and eIF2A-dependent translation for memory consolidation, reconsolidation, extinction, and discrimination. We also plan to examine the cell type-specific requirement for de novo translation in memory using more complex types of behavioral paradigms.

Dysregulated translation has been shown by a number of laboratories, including my laboratory, to contribute to synaptic dysfunction and aberrant behaviors in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and neurodevelopmental disorders such as Fragile X syndrome (FXS) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). However, using molecular approaches to dissect circuit dysfunction in these diseases/disorders has been lacking. Therefore, we plan to examine the role of cell type-specific translational dysregulation in mouse models of AD, FXS, and ASD. Moreover, we will identify the inappropriately translated mRNAs and their newly synthesized protein products using translatomic and de novo proteomic approaches that we developed to identify mRNAs/proteins that are translated/synthesized improperly in mouse models of AD and FXS.

These questions will be addressed by utilizing the powerful multidisciplinary combination of new genetically-engineered mice and viruses, electrophysiological recordings, immuno-cytochemistry, innovative methods to measure de novo protein synthesis in vivo, cell-type specific translational profiling, and de novo proteomics. The results of these studies will provide fundamental insights into the molecular events in both excitatory and inhibitory neurons that support consolidation, reconsolidation, and extinction of memory. Moreover, these studies have the potential to provide therapeutic targets for multiple brain disorders that are associated with dysregulated translation.

New York University

(1) TO SUPPORT EXTRAMURAL RESEARCH FUNDED BY THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS AND STROKE (NINDS) INCLUDING: BASIC RESEARCH THAT EXPLORES THE FUNDAMENTAL STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF THE BRAIN AND THE NERVOUS SYSTEM, RESEARCH TO UNDERSTAND THE CAUSES AND ORIGINS OF PATHOLOGICAL CONDITIONS OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM WITH THE GOAL OF PREVENTING THESE DISORDERS, RESEARCH ON THE NATURAL COURSE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS, IMPROVED METHODS OF DISEASE PREVENTION, NEW METHODS OF DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT, DRUG DEVELOPMENT, DEVELOPMENT OF NEURAL DEVICES, CLINICAL TRIALS, AND RESEARCH TRAINING IN BASIC, TRANSLATIONAL AND CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCE. THE INSTITUTE IS THE LARGEST FUNDER OF BASIC NEUROSCIENCE IN THE US AND SUPPORTS RESEARCH ON TOPICS INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: DEVELOPMENT OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM, INCLUDING NEUROGENESIS AND PROGENITOR CELL BIOLOGY, SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION IN DEVELOPMENT AND PLASTICITY, AND PROGRAMMED CELL DEATH, SYNAPSE FORMATION, FUNCTION, AND PLASTICITY, LEARNING AND MEMORY, CHANNELS, TRANSPORTERS, AND PUMPS, CIRCUIT FORMATION AND MODULATION, BEHAVIORAL AND COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE, SENSORIMOTOR LEARNING, INTEGRATION AND EXECUTIVE FUNCTION, NEUROENDOCRINE SYSTEMS, SLEEP AND CIRCADIAN RHYTHMS, AND SENSORY AND MOTOR SYSTEMS. IN ADDITION, THE INSTITUTE SUPPORTS BASIC, TRANSLATIONAL AND CLINICAL STUDIES ON A NUMBER OF DISORDERS OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM INCLUDING (BUT NOT LIMITED TO): STROKE, TRAUMATIC INJURY TO THE BRAIN, SPINAL CORD AND PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM, NEURODEGENERATIVE DISORDERS, MOVEMENT DISORDERS, BRAIN TUMORS, CONVULSIVE DISORDERS, INFECTIOUS DISORDERS OF THE BRAIN AND NERVOUS SYSTEM, IMMUNE DISORDERS OF THE BRAIN AND NERVOUS SYSTEM, INCLUDING MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS, DISORDERS RELATED TO SLEEP, AND PAIN. PROGRAMMATIC AREAS, WHICH ARE PRIMARILY SUPPORTED BY THE DIVISION OF NEUROSCIENCE, ARE ALSO SUPPORTED BY THE DIVISION OF EXTRAMURAL ACTIVITIES, THE DIVISION OF TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH, THE DIVISION OF CLINICAL RESEARCH, THE OFFICE OF TRAINING AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, THE OFFICE OF PROGRAMS TO ENHANCE NEUROSCIENCE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, AND THE OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES. (2) TO EXPAND AND IMPROVE THE SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR) PROGRAM, TO INCREASE PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIALIZATION OF INNOVATIONS DERIVED FROM FEDERAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, TO INCREASE SMALL BUSINESS PARTICIPATION IN FEDERAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, AND TO FOSTER AND ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION OF SOCIALLY AND ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS IN TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION. TO UTILIZE THE SMALL BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER (STTR) PROGRAM, TO STIMULATE AND FOSTER SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION THROUGH COOPERATIVE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CARRIED OUT BETWEEN SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS, TO FOSTER TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER BETWEEN SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS, TO INCREASE PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIALIZATION OF INNOVATIONS DERIVED FROM FEDERAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, AND TO FOSTER AND ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION OF SOCIALLY AND ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS IN TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION.

93.853 - Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NNDS) [HHS - NIH]

New York, New York 100122338 United States

Single Zip Code

Research Program Award (R35 Clinical Trial Optional) (RFA-NS-20-030)

Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have increased 408% from $1,067,481 to $5,426,946.