Divide and conquer: An L-type voltage-gated calcium channel subtype finds a role in conditioned fear

摘要

The function of L-type voltage-gated calcium channels (LVGCCs) in learning and memory has been somewhat elusive. For some time we have known that there is progressive decrease in learning and memory with age, and a number of researchers have argued that this is because of a gradual increase in LVGCCs through the life cycle (Barad 2003). Consistent with this observation, LVGCC inhibitors of various types have been observed to improve learning in aged, but not in young animals. Of course, these observations are inconsistent with a role for LVGCCs in promoting learning.