Electrical stimulation of the cerebellum facilitates automatic but not controlled word retrieval.

Recent research has indicated that the cerebellum is engaged in language functions, yet the role of the cerebellum in lexical-semantic memory is poorly understood. In a double-blind randomized controlled experiment, we therefore targeted the cerebellum by transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to assess and compare the contribution of the cerebellar processing to automatic and controlled retrieval of words in healthy adults (n = 136). Anodal cerebellar tDCS facilitated retrieval of semantically related words in free-associative chains, which was not due to a non-specific acceleration of processing speed.

BDNF Val66Met polymorphism is associated with consolidation of episodic memory during sleep.

The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is an essential regulator of synaptic plasticity, a candidate neurobiological mechanism underlying learning and memory. A functional polymorphism in the BDNF gene, Val66Met (rs6265), has been linked to memory and cognition in healthy individuals and clinical populations. Sleep contributes to memory consolidation, yet information about the possible role of BDNF in this process is scarce.

Absence of a significant interaction of two common NOS1 and 5-HTT polymorphisms on sensorimotor gating in humans.

The neurotransmitter serotonin has been critically implicated in the pathogenesis of several mental disorders. The serotonin transporter (5-HTT) is a key regulator of serotonergic neurotransmission and its genetic variability is associated with increased risk of psychopathology. One well known polymorphic locus in the 5-HTT gene affecting its expression is a tandem repeat in the promoter region (5-HTTLPR).

Genetic Determinants of Gating Functions: Do We Get Closer to Understanding Schizophrenia Etiopathogenesis?

Deficits in the gating of sensory stimuli, i.e., the ability to suppress the processing of irrelevant sensory input, are considered to play an important role in the pathogenesis of several neuropsychiatric disorders, in particular schizophrenia.

Association between genetic variability of neuronal nitric oxide synthase and sensorimotor gating in humans.

Research increasingly suggests that nitric oxide (NO) plays a role in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. One important line of evidence comes from genetic studies, which have repeatedly detected an association between the neuronal isoform of nitric oxide synthase (nNOS or NOS1) and schizophrenia. However, the pathogenetic pathways linking nNOS, NO, and the disorder remain poorly understood.