An international study demonstrates, in animal models, that insulin growth factor subject 2 (IGF-II) strengthens report and prevents forgetfulness. The results of work, developed at the Mount Sinai Hospital School of Medicine in New York, and in which Ana García-Osta, researcher at research center Applied Medicine (CIMA) of the University of Navarra, has participated, are published in the latest issue of the journal Nature.

The article describes the role played by IGF-II in the consolidation processes of the report long deadline. "Using programs of study microarray (gene identification) we found that the gene encoding this protein is increased in the brain of rats exposed to a learning session. By locally administering IGF-II in the hippocampus (brain area where the report is acquired and consolidated) of these animals, we observed that the animal reinforces the report and prevents forgetting," explains the researcher at CIMA.

On the other hand, blocking IGF-II gene expression in the hippocampus prevents the training of new memories, demonstrating that it is an essential molecule for a memory to form and consolidate. "We believe that IGF-II may be a new target for design therapies that improve cognitive function."

Following the results obtained, Dr. Ana García-Osta is working at CIMA on a project of research to study whether the administration of IGF-II is able to reduce dementia in an animal model of Alzheimer's disease.