Molecular and cellular mechanisms of cognitive function: Implications for psychiatric disorders

Recent studies on the molecular non cellular basis of learning and memory h ave brought us closer than ever to understanding the mechanisms of synaptic plasticity and their relevance to memory formulation. Genetic approaches h ave played a central role in these new findings because the same mutant mic e can be studied with molecular, cellular, circuit, and behavioral tools. T herefore, the results can be used to construct models that cut across level s of analytical complexity, forging connections from the biochemistry of th e modified protein to the behavior of the mutant mice. These findings are n ot only improving our understanding of learning and memory, they are also e nriching our understanding of cognitive disorders, such as neurofibromatosi s type I. Mechanisms underlying longterm changes in synaptic function are l ikely to be at the heart of many cognitive and emotional processes in human s. Therefore, molecular and cellular insights into learning and memory undo ubtedly will have a profound impact on the understanding and treatment of p sychiatric disorders. Biol Psychiatry 2000;47:200-209 (C) 2000 Society of B iological Psychiatry.