[Abstract Title]. - Society for Neuroscience

ut not cued, freezing was also observed. A reduction in the phosphorylated form of cyclic
adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein (CREB) was observed in the dentate
gyrus region of naïve nNOS KO mice compared to WT mice. Results suggest that nNOS KO
mice exhibit a selective disruption of contextual hippocampus-mediated, but not cued amygdalamediated,
fear learning, which may be overcome by different training strategies. Since CREB is
a transcription factor responsible for regulating numerous genes related to learning and memory,
this deficiency may contribute to the contextual learning deficits observed in nNOS KO mice.
Disclosures: J.B. Kelley, None; K.L. Anderson, None; Y. Itzhak, None.
Poster
294. Gene Expression and Fear Learning
Time: Sunday, November 16, 2008, 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Program#/Poster#: 294.3/SS43
Topic: F.02.f. Fear and aversive learning and memory
Support: NIH Neuroscience Blueprint funding
McKnight Brain Research Foundation
NIMH
NARSAD
NIA
Title: Regulation of MeCP2 and MBD1 in learning and memory
Authors: *L. A. QADRI, D. SWEATT;
UAB, Birmingham, AL
Abstract: Ninety-five percent of females with Rett Syndrome have mutations in the methyl-
CpG-binding domain protein MeCP2. Mutations in both MeCP2 and the related protein MBD1
cause learning deficits in mice. However, while these proteins are known to be essential for
development, their role in normal learning and memory has not yet been investigated. Therefore,
we are examining the regulation of these proteins in response to a classical model of learning,
fear conditioning. C57/bl6 mice were trained for contextual fear conditioning, a hippocampusdependent
learning task. Following training, hippocampal area CA1 was removed for
biochemistry. Sprague-Dawley rats received cued fear conditioning, an amygdala-dependent