A gene for bad memory? (Link)

post by Richard_Kennaway · 2011-02-15T15:27:41.920Z · LW · GW · Legacy · 2 comments

Contents

2 comments

Original paper: "RGS14 is a natural suppressor of both synaptic plasticity in CA2 neurons and hippocampal-based learning and memory"

Sci. Am. article: "Knocking Out a 'Dumb' Gene Boosts Memory in Mice"

Science Daily article: "Gene Limits Learning and Memory in Mice"

They haven't found any deficit in the mice with RGS14 knocked out.

2 comments

Comments sorted by top scores.

comment by wedrifid · 2011-02-15T20:27:41.171Z · LW(p) · GW(p)

Thanks for the links - good stuff!

They haven't found any deficit in the mice with RGS14 knocked out.

Do they have good rodent models for post traumatic stress, general resilience to life stressors and vulnerability to social influence by rivals?

Replies from: gwern
↑ comment by gwern · 2011-02-16T20:22:37.409Z · LW(p) · GW(p)

I would be more interested in the metabolic consequences of good memory. (More fatty acid use?) That's the usual downside to intelligence interventions per Algernon's principle.