Cristina Maria Alberini

Molecular mechanisms of long-term memory

My laboratory studies the biological mechanisms of memory. In particular, we focus on the identification and characterization of the biological mechanisms that accompany long-term memory formation, storage and retrieval. Memory is a fundamental biological function and a critical component of our identity. Understanding the biological changes that underlie the formation and storage of long-term memory is important for developing strategies that change memory strength. Such knowledge may lead to therapeutic approaches for memory loss including those occurring in aging and Alzheimer's disease as well as for memory disorders due to pathogenically strong memories, such as those occurring in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In order to become long-term memory, newly acquired information undergoes a number of changes that require the activation of cascades of gene expression. This is a universal feature of long-term memory processes, which, in fact, is found in several different forms of memory and is conserved throughout evolution. I am currently interested in 3 main questions: what are the nature and functions of the genes and proteins that, in different brain areas, play a critical role in long-term memory formation? How do these biological changes evolve over time? And, which are the biological mechanisms that accompany memory reorganization after retrieval? Stored memories can in fact become temporarily vulnerable if they are retrieved (reactivated). This phase of vulnerability after recall provides an opportunity for interventions that can either decrease or strengthen memories and prevent memory loss.

Chen DY, Stern SA, Garcia-Osta A, Saunier-Rebori B, Pollonini G, Bambah-Mukku D, Blitzer RD, Alberini CM. (2011) A critical role for IGF-II in memory consolidation and enhancement. Nature 469: 491-497.

Suzuki A, Stern SA, Bozdagi O, Huntley GW, Magistretti PJ, Alberini CM. (2011) Astrocyte-neuron lactate transport is required for long-term memory formation. Cell 144: 810-823.

Chen DY, Bambah-Mukku D, Pollonini G, Alberini CM (2012) Glucocorticoid receptors recruit the CaMKIIα-BDNF-CREB pathways to mediate memory consolidation. Nature Neuroscience, 15: 1707-1714.

Gao V, Suzuki A, Magistretti PJ, Lengacher S, Pollonini G, Steinman MQ, Alberini CM. (2016) Astrocytic β2-adrenergic receptors mediate hippocampal long-term memory consolidation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 113:8526-8531.

Travaglia A, Bisaz R, Sweet ES, Blitzer RD, Alberini CM (2016) Infantile amnesia reflects a developmental critical period for hippocampal learning. Nat Neurosci. 19:1225-1233.

Ye X, Kapeller-Libermann D, Travaglia A, Inda MC, Alberini CM. (2017) Direct dorsal hippocampal-prelimbic cortex connections strengthen fear memories. Nat Neurosci. 20:52-61.