Transgenic Mice with Enhanced Cognition

Advances in genetic engineering technologies allow us to study cognitive functions at multiple levels of analysis from molecules to behaviors. Roles of specific molecules or signaling pathways involved in cognitive functions have been investigated mostly by negative manipulations that cause behavioral deficits in mutant animals. However, it is fascinating to find that cognitive functions are enhanced in a remarkable number of mutant mice. In this chapter, mutant mice showing better performance in learning and memory-related behavioral tasks are summarized and categorized into several groups regarding the signaling pathways affected by genetic manipulations. Memory enhancement can be achieved by shifting balances between positive and negative regulators in several processes of cell signaling from receptors at the cell surface to transcription factors in the nucleus of neurons. Understanding mechanisms of memory enhancement will contribute to elucidate the basic molecular mechanism of learning and memory as well as to the development of treatments for cognitive disorders.