1: Optical inactivation of synaptic AMPA receptors erases fear memory

Nature Biotechnology

35, 38–47 (2017) doi:10.1038/nbt.3710

Kiwamu Takemoto, Hiroko Iwanari, Hirobumi Tada, Kumiko Suyama, Akane Sano, Takeharu Nagai, Takao Hamakubo & Takuya Takahashi

A research group led by Professor Takuya Takahashi (74th class) and Assistant Professor Kiwamu Takemoto (equivalent to the 78th class) of the Department of Physiology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, has successfully developed a new technology to erase traumatic memories through optical manipulation. When unpleasant memories, such as fearful experiences from accidents and disasters or stress from social relationships like interpersonal troubles, are strongly formed, they can become trauma, leading to social disorders such as social phobia. The group previously discovered that while rats learn to avoid a specific place after receiving an electric shock there, the formation of this fear memory requires the migration of AMPA receptors (a type of glutamate receptor) to synapses connecting the CA3 and CA1 regions of the hippocampus. In this study, the team successfully developed a new technology to erase traumatic memories by using optical manipulation to destroy the AMPA receptors that had migrated to synapses during memory formation. This was achieved using an anti-AMPA receptor antibody labeled with the photosensitizer eosin (Figure). This research is expected to provide further clues for new therapies to control psychological trauma.

(Takuya Takahashi, Professor, Department of Physiology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, 74th class; Kiwamu Takemoto, Assistant Professor, equivalent to 78th class)

Neuron

92 (3): 582-590, 2016.

Okano H, Sasaki E, Yamamori T, Iriki A, Shimogori T, Yamaguchi Y, Kasai K and Miyawaki A.

Nat Rev Neurosci

17, 733-734, 2016.

Okano H, Yamamori T:

The mechanisms underlying higher brain functions in humans are still not well understood, and there are no definitive treatments for dementia and many psychiatric disorders. To fundamentally solve these problems, there are growing international expectations for a complete elucidation of the structural and functional neural circuits of the human brain. In response to this trend, comprehensive neural circuit research projects applying internationally innovative research technologies were launched in 2013, such as the Brain Initiative in the United States and the Human Brain Project in Europe. This raised concerns that a delay in Japan's response would severely diminish its international competitiveness. Consequently, as the third major project in the world, Japan launched the Brain Mapping by Integrated Neurotechnologies for Disease Studies (Brain/MINDS) project in 2014. Recognizing that research on primate brains is essential for understanding human brain and neural networks and overcoming related diseases, the Brain/MINDS project is developing highly original research that has received high international acclaim. As a research strategy that leverages Japan's strengths, it utilizes genetically modifiable marmosets. Two graduates of Keio University School of Medicine, Hideyuki Okano (Professor, Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, 62nd class) and Atsushi Miyawaki (Deputy Director, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, 66th class), are serving as project leaders for this Brain/MINDS project. These two papers, published in *Neuron* and *Nature Reviews Neuroscience*, provide a clear explanation of the Brain/MINDS project overview, international collaboration in brain science, and future prospects.

(Hideyuki Okano, Professor, Department of Physiology, 62nd class)

Nature Cell Biology

18,1031–1042 (2016) doi:10.1038/ncb3411

Kazuki Kodo, Sang-Ging Ong, Fereshteh Jahanbani, Vittavat Termglinchan, Keiichi Hirono, Kolsoum InanlooRahatloo, Antje D. Ebert, Praveen Shukla, Oscar J. Abilez, Jared M. Churko, Ioannis Karakikes, Gwanghyun Jung, Fukiko Ichida, Sean M. Wu, Michael P. Snyder, Daniel Bernstein and Joseph C. Wu

Ann Rheum Dis

doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2015-208426

Yuko Kaneko, Tatsuya Atsumi, Yoshiya Tanaka, Masayuki Inoo,Hitomi Kobayashi-Haraoka, Koichi Amano, Masayuki Miyata, Yohko Murakawa, Hidekata Yasuoka, Shintaro Hirata, Hayato Nagasawa, Eiichi Tanaka, Nobuyuki Miyasaka, Hisashi Yamanaka, Kazuhiko Yamamoto,Tsutomu Takeuchi

JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY

NOV 2016, 138 (5):1253-1264;10.1016

Morita Hideaki, Moro Kazuyo, Koyasu Shigeo

TRENDS IN IMMUNOLOGY

37 (11):803-811; 10.1016/j.it.2016.08.012 NOV 2016

Kanamori Mitsuhiro, Nakatsukasa Hiroko, Okada Masahiro, Lu Qianjin, Yoshimura Akihiko