A Gene’s absence improves memory

Old age dementia could be connected to a gene identified by scientists in 2002. Scientists have found that absence of the gene in aged mice boosted their learning skills and memory, besides making them less sensitive to all kinds of chronic or acute pain.Fascinatingly, the brains of aged mice (18 months) showed learning capacities similar to those of very young mice.

The group of Toronto University scientists led by Josef Penninger, who identified the gene in 2002, named it as DREAM (downstream regulatory element antagonistic modulator). It obviously served as a key regulator in pain perception.Thus, DREAM turns out to be a genetic candidate for explaining old age dementia. Even a causal connection to Alzheimer’s disease seems plausible.

This is supported by observations of patients suffering from chronic pain which is  very often their ability to memorize is strikingly reduced and they need a lot more time to learn than individuals without pain.