Molecular cellular cognition
Encyclopedia
Molecular cellular cognition (MCC) is that branch of neuroscience
that involves the study of cognitive processes with approaches that integrate molecular, cellular and behavioral mechanisms. Key goals of MCC studies include the derivation of molecular and cellular explanations of cognitive processes, as well as finding mechanisms and treatments for cognitive disorders.
Although closely connected with behavioral genetics, MCC emphasizes the integration of molecular and cellular explanations of behaviour, instead of focusing on the connections between genes and behavior.
Unlike cognitive neuroscience
, which historically has focused on the connection between human brain
systems and behavior, the field of MCC has used model organisms, such as mice, to study how molecular (ie. receptor, kinase
activation, phosphatase
regulation), intra-cellular (i.e. dendritic processes), and inter-cellular processes (i.e. synaptic plasticity
; network representations such as place fields) modulate cognitive function.
Methods employed in MCC include (but are not limited to) transgenic organisms (i.e. mice), viral vector
s, pharmacology
, in vitro and in vivo electrophysiology
, optogenetics
, in vivo imaging, and behavioral analysis. Modeling is becoming an essential component of the field because of the complexity of the multilevel data generated.
in long-term potentiation and spatial learning.
The studies that crystallized the field used knock out mice to look at the role of the alpha calcium calmodulin kinase II
and FYN
kinase in hippocampal
long-term potentiation and spatial learning. The field has expanded to include a large array of molecules including CREB
.
Neuroscience
Neuroscience is the scientific study of the nervous system. Traditionally, neuroscience has been seen as a branch of biology. However, it is currently an interdisciplinary science that collaborates with other fields such as chemistry, computer science, engineering, linguistics, mathematics,...
that involves the study of cognitive processes with approaches that integrate molecular, cellular and behavioral mechanisms. Key goals of MCC studies include the derivation of molecular and cellular explanations of cognitive processes, as well as finding mechanisms and treatments for cognitive disorders.
Although closely connected with behavioral genetics, MCC emphasizes the integration of molecular and cellular explanations of behaviour, instead of focusing on the connections between genes and behavior.
Unlike cognitive neuroscience
Cognitive neuroscience
Cognitive neuroscience is an academic field concerned with the scientific study of biological substrates underlying cognition, with a specific focus on the neural substrates of mental processes. It addresses the questions of how psychological/cognitive functions are produced by the brain...
, which historically has focused on the connection between human brain
Human brain
The human brain has the same general structure as the brains of other mammals, but is over three times larger than the brain of a typical mammal with an equivalent body size. Estimates for the number of neurons in the human brain range from 80 to 120 billion...
systems and behavior, the field of MCC has used model organisms, such as mice, to study how molecular (ie. receptor, kinase
Kinase
In chemistry and biochemistry, a kinase is a type of enzyme that transfers phosphate groups from high-energy donor molecules, such as ATP, to specific substrates, a process referred to as phosphorylation. Kinases are part of the larger family of phosphotransferases...
activation, phosphatase
Phosphatase
A phosphatase is an enzyme that removes a phosphate group from its substrate by hydrolysing phosphoric acid monoesters into a phosphate ion and a molecule with a free hydroxyl group . This action is directly opposite to that of phosphorylases and kinases, which attach phosphate groups to their...
regulation), intra-cellular (i.e. dendritic processes), and inter-cellular processes (i.e. synaptic plasticity
Synaptic plasticity
In neuroscience, synaptic plasticity is the ability of the connection, or synapse, between two neurons to change in strength in response to either use or disuse of transmission over synaptic pathways. Plastic change also results from the alteration of the number of receptors located on a synapse...
; network representations such as place fields) modulate cognitive function.
Methods employed in MCC include (but are not limited to) transgenic organisms (i.e. mice), viral vector
Viral vector
Viral vectors are a tool commonly used by molecular biologists to deliver genetic material into cells. This process can be performed inside a living organism or in cell culture . Viruses have evolved specialized molecular mechanisms to efficiently transport their genomes inside the cells they infect...
s, pharmacology
Pharmacology
Pharmacology is the branch of medicine and biology concerned with the study of drug action. More specifically, it is the study of the interactions that occur between a living organism and chemicals that affect normal or abnormal biochemical function...
, in vitro and in vivo electrophysiology
Electrophysiology
Electrophysiology is the study of the electrical properties of biological cells and tissues. It involves measurements of voltage change or electric current on a wide variety of scales from single ion channel proteins to whole organs like the heart...
, optogenetics
Optogenetics
Optogenetics is the combination of genetic and optical methods to control specific events in targeted cells of living tissue, even within freely moving mammals and other animals, with the temporal precision needed to keep pace with functioning intact biological systems.In 2010, optogenetics was...
, in vivo imaging, and behavioral analysis. Modeling is becoming an essential component of the field because of the complexity of the multilevel data generated.
Scientific roots
The field of MCC has its roots in the pioneering studies of the role of NMDA receptorNMDA receptor
The NMDA receptor , a glutamate receptor, is the predominant molecular device for controlling synaptic plasticity and memory function....
in long-term potentiation and spatial learning.
The studies that crystallized the field used knock out mice to look at the role of the alpha calcium calmodulin kinase II
Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase
/calmodulin-dependent protein kinases II or CaM kinases II are serine/threonine-specific protein kinases that are regulated by the /calmodulin complex...
and FYN
FYN
Proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase Fyn is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the FYN gene.This gene is a member of the protein-tyrosine kinase oncogene family. It encodes a membrane-associated tyrosine kinase that has been implicated in the control of cell growth...
kinase in hippocampal
Hippocampus
The hippocampus is a major component of the brains of humans and other vertebrates. It belongs to the limbic system and plays important roles in the consolidation of information from short-term memory to long-term memory and spatial navigation. Humans and other mammals have two hippocampi, one in...
long-term potentiation and spatial learning. The field has expanded to include a large array of molecules including CREB
CREB
CREB is a cellular transcription factor. It binds to certain DNA sequences called cAMP response elements , thereby increasing or decreasing the transcription of the downstream genes....
.