By Neuroscience News
Melatonin enhances memory in animals, but its underlying mechanism was unclear.
Sophia University researchers examined melatonin’s effect on protein phosphorylation linked to memory.
Three compounds, including melatonin, were studied for their memory formation effects.
Initial tests on male mice showed these compounds significantly aided long-term memory formation.
Memory was assessed using a "novel objection recognition task" on mice.
Drugs' effects on protein phosphorylation in the mouse brain revealed variations.
Melatonin aids memory by modulating memory-related protein phosphorylation.
These findings could pave the way for memory-enhancing drugs for age-related impairments.