UTSA biology research could lead to treatments for PTSD and Alzheimer's
Share this Story(Dec. 15, 2009)--Led by Joe L. Martinez Jr., UTSA Ewing Halsell Distinguished Chair in Biology, a team of UTSA researchers found that radiation therapy can prevent the brain from forming some types of fearful memories. Further research may lead to treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder and Alzheimer's disease.
Radiation therapy reduces the number of new granule cells in the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for autobiographical memory. Cranial irradiation, or radiation of the skull, is commonly used as a treatment to prevent cancer from spreading to the brain. However, long-term cognitive impairments, such as the inability to learn or remember new tasks, often occur as a result of the procedure.
The researchers tested the ability of rats to form three types of fear memories: delay fear memories, context fear memories and trace fear memories. Delay fear memories form when a fearful situation occurs simultaneously with another event. Context fear memories form when a fearful situation follows another event and both take place in the same physical space. Trace fear memories form when an event and a fearful situation are separated by a pause.
Combining biological and psychological approaches in the laboratory, the researchers observed the behavior of rats not producing new granule cells in their brains. The researchers observed that the rats were able to form delay and fear memories but were unable to form trace fear memories. The findings led them to believe that new granule cells are not required in the hippocampus of the brain to form delay and context fear memories but are required for the formation of trace fear memories.
"This research has broad applications including treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder and Alzheimer's disease," said Martinez. "If we can pinpoint the neurons in the hippocampus that are responsible for storing trace fear memories, we may be able to selectively erase negative memories by decreasing the number of new granule cells in the brain. Or, we may be able to prevent memory loss by preventing the death of new granule cells. Such therapies could definitely enhance an individual's life, but we have a long way to go before we put the theory into practice."
Events
Fiesta Arts Fair features contemporary art from more than 100 artists from across the U.S., Fiesta favorite foods, drinks, live music by local and regional performers, and a Young Artists Garden providing opportunities for budding artists to learn, explore and express their creativity.
UTSA Southwest CampusJoin the PEACE Center and Wellbeing Services for Denim Day, a day of learning about the importance of consent and why we wear denim on the last Wednesday of the month each April during Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Stop by our Denim Day display to take a photo in front of our Denim Wall, spin the "Is It Consent?" Wheel, and get a Concha or goodie.
Student Union Window Lounge, Main CampusLearn to use Zotero®, a citation manager that can help you store and organize citations you find during your research. Zotero can generate bibliographies in various styles, insert in-text citations and allow you to share sources with collaborators.
Virtual EventThis event is to achnowlege the graduating seniors and induct the new cohart of scholars to our program.
North Paseo Building (NPB 5.140,) Main CampusCelebrate the accomplishments of College of Education and Human Development, College for Health, Community and Policy, College of Sciences and University College.
AlamodomeCelebrate the accomplishments of Alvarez College of Business, College of Liberal and Fine Arts and Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design.
Alamodome
