Abstract
Much attention has been focused in recent years on the possibility that ribonucleic acid (RNA) may be the substrate or code of memory functions in the brain. Experimental attempts have been made on both humans and animals for ways to increase learning and memory by increasing the concentration, synthesis, or activity of RNA in the brain. Exogenous yeast RNA has been administered orally, intravenously, and intraperitoneally as a drug for this purpose [1–4]. Various other drugs have been used in efforts to stimulate RNA synthesis. These include malononitrile, which is reported to increase the amount of RNA in nervous tissue [5], and magnesium pemoline, which has been reported to increase the activity of the enzyme RNA polymerase in the brain [6].
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Cameron, D.E.: The use of nucleic acid in aged patients with memory impairment, Am. J. Psychiat. 114:943, 1958.
Cameron, D.E., Sved, S., Solyom, L., Wainrib, B., and Barik, H.: The effects of RNA on memory defect in the aged, Am. J. Psychiat. 120:320, 1963.
Cameron, D.E., Kral, V.A., Solyom, L., Sved, S., Wainrib, B., Beaulieu, C., and Enesco, H.: RNA and memory, in: Gaito, J. (ed.), Macromolecules and Behavior, Appleton-Century-Crofts, New York, 1966.
Solyom, L., Beaulieu, C., and Enesco, H. E.: The effect of RNA on the operant conditioned behavior of white rats, Psychonom. Sci. 6:341, 1966.
Hydén, H.: Nucleic acids and proteins, in: Elliott, A. C., Page, I.H., and Quastel, J.H. (eds.), Neurochemistry, Charles C. fhomas, Springfield, Ill., 1955, p. 202.
Glasky, A. J., and Simon, L.N.: Magnesium pemoline: Enhancement of brain RNA polymerases. Science 151:702, 1966.
Enesco, H.E.: Fate of C14-ribonucleic acid injected into mice, Exptl. Cell Res. 42:640, 1966.
Luttges, M., Johnson, T., Buck, C., Holland, J., and McGaugh, J.: An examination of “transfer of learning” by nucleic acid, Science 151:834, 1966.
Ingbar, S.H.: The action of 1,1,3-tricyano-2-amino-1-propene (U-9189) on the thyroid gland of the rat and its effects in human thyrotoxicosis, J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 21:128, 1961.
Lange, W.E., Candon, B.H., and Chessin, M.: Metal chelates of oxazolidinones as central nervous system stimulants, J. Pharm. Sci. 51:477, 1962.
Alexander, W.F., and Backlar, B.S.: Nucleic acid changes in rat nerve tissue after parenteral administration of Vitamin B12, Proc. Soc. Exptl. Biol. Med. 78:181, 1951.
Sahasrabudhe, M. R., and Lakshminarayan Rao, M.V.: Effect of vitamin B12 on the synthesis of protein and nucleic acids in the liver. Nature 168:605, 1951.
Rose, I.A., and Schweigert, B.S.: Effect of vitamin B12 on nucleic acid metabolism of the rat, Proc. Soc. Exptl. Biol. Med. 79:541, 1952.
Holmes, J.M.: Cerebral manifestations of vitamin B12 deficiency, Brit. Med. J. 2:1394, 1956.
Hunter, R., and Mathews, D.M.: Mental symptoms in vitamin B12 deficiency. Lancet 2:738, 1965.
Edwin, E., Holten, K., Norum, K.R., Schrumpf, A., and Skaug, O.E.: Vitamin B12 hypovita-minosis in mental disease. Acta Med. Scand. 177:689, 1965.
Droller, H., and Dosset, J. A.: Vitamin B12 levels in senile dementia and confusional states, Geriatrics 14:367, 1959.
Flax, M.H., and Hirnes, M.H.: Microspectrophotometric analysis of metachromatic staining of nucleic acids, Physiol. Zool. 25:297, 1952.
Corson, J. A.: Observational learning of a lever-pressing response, Psychonom. Sci. 7:197, 1967.
Watson, J. D.: The Molecular Biology of the Gene, W. A. Benjamin, Inc., New York, 1965.
Birnstiel, M.L., Chipchase, M.I.H., and Hyde, B.B.: The nucleolus, a source of ribosomes, Biochim. Biophys. Acta 76:454, 1963.
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1968 Springer Science+Business Media New York
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Enesco, H.E. (1968). Effect of Vitamin B12 on Neuronal RNA and on Instrumental Conditioning in the Rat. In: Wortis, J. (eds) Recent Advances in Biological Psychiatry. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-9072-5_11
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-9072-5_11
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-1-4684-9074-9
Online ISBN: 978-1-4684-9072-5
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive