PRESS-NEWS.org - Press Release Distribution
PRESS RELEASES DISTRIBUTION

Chocolate makes snails smarter

2012-09-27
(Press-News.org) Type the word 'superfood,' into a web browser and you'll be overwhelmed: some websites even maintain that dark chocolate can have beneficial effects. But take a closer look at the science underpinning these claims, and you'll discover just how sparse it is. So, when University of Calgary undergraduate Lee Fruson became curious about how dietary factors might affect memory, Ken Lukowiak was sceptical. 'I didn't think any of this stuff would work', Lukowiak recalls. Despite his misgivings, Lukowiak and Fruson decided to concentrate on a group of compounds – the flavonoids – found in a wide range of 'superfoods' including chocolate and green tea, focusing on one particular flavonoid, epicatechin (epi). However, figuring out how a single component of chocolate might improve human memory is almost impossible – too many external factors influence memory formation – so Lukowiak turned to his favourite animal, the pond snail Lymnaea stagnalis, to find out whether the dark chocolate flavonoid could improve their memories. They publish their discovery that epi improves the length and strength of snail memories in The Journal of Experimental Biology at http://jeb.biologists.com.

According to Lukowiak, the molluscs can be trained to remember a simple activity: to keep their breathing tubes (pneumostomes) closed when immersed in deoxygenated water. He explains that pond snails usually breathe through their skins, but when oxygen levels fall, they extend the breathing tube above the surface to supplement the oxygen supply. However, the snails can be trained to remember to keep the breathing tube closed in deoxygenated water by gently tapping it when they try to open it, and the strength of the memory depends on the training regime.

First, Fruson identified an epi concentration – 15 mg m1 pond water – that didn't affect the snails' behaviour; 'We have to be sure that we're not looking at wired animals', chuckles Lukowiak. Then, the duo tested the molluscs' memories. Explaining that a half-hour training session in deoxygenated water allows the snails to form intermediate-term memories (lasting less than 3 h) but not long-term memories (lasting 24 h or more), Fruson and Lukowiak wondered whether epi would improve the snail's memories, allowing them to form long-term memories after shorter memory training. Amazingly, when Fruson plunged the molluscs into deoxygenated water to tested their memories a day later, they remembered to keep their breathing tubes closed. And when the duo provided the snails with two training sessions, the animals were able to remember to keep their breathing tubes shut more than 3 days later. Epi had boosted the molluscs' memories and extended the duration, but how strong were the epi-memories?

Lukowiak explains that memories can be overwritten by another memory in a process called extinction. However, the original memory is not forgotten and if the additional memory is stored weakly, it can be lost and the original memory restored. So, Fruson and Lukowiak decided to find out how strong the epi-boosted memory was by trying to extinguish it. Having trained the snails, the duo then tried to replace it with a memory where the snails could open their breathing tubes. However, instead of learning the new memory, the epi-trained snails stubbornly kept their breathing tubes shut. The epi-memory was too strong to be extinguished.

The duo also found that instead of requiring a sensory organ to consolidate the snails' memories – like their memories of predators triggered by smell – epi directly affects the neurons that store the memory. So, Lukowiak is keen to look directly at the effect that epi has on memory neurons and adds that the cognitive effects of half a bar of dark chocolate could even help your grades: good news for chocoholics the world over.

### IF REPORTING ON THIS STORY, PLEASE MENTION THE JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY AS THE SOURCE AND, IF REPORTING ONLINE, PLEASE CARRY A LINK TO: http://jeb.biologists.org/content/215/20/3566.abstract

REFERENCE: Fruson, L., Dalesman, S. and Lukowiak, K. (2012) A flavonol present in cocoa [(–)epicatechin] enhances snail memory. J. Exp. Biol. 215, 3566-3576.

This article is posted on this site to give advance access to other authorised media who may wish to report on this story. Full attribution is required, and if reporting online a link to jeb.biologists.com is also required. The story posted here is COPYRIGHTED. Therefore advance permission is required before any and every reproduction of each article in full. PLEASE CONTACT permissions@biologists.com

THIS ARTICLE IS EMBARGOED UNTIL THURSDAY, 27 September 2012, 00.15 HRS EST (04:15 HRS GMT, 05:15BST)


ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

Predicting erectile dysfunction from prostate cancer treatment

2012-09-27
Researchers have identified 12 DNA sequences that may help doctors determine which men will suffer from erectile dysfunction (ED) following radiation therapy for prostate cancer. Identifying these patients in advance of treatment may better inform men and their families as to which prostate cancer treatments are best for their specific cancer and lifestyle, according to a study to be published online September 27, 2012, in advance of the October 1, 2012 print issue, in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology.Biology.Physics (Red Journal), the official scientific ...

Possible link between infants' regulatory behaviors and maternal mental health

2012-09-27
Cincinnati, OH, September 27, 2012 – Functional somatic symptoms (FSS) are physical complaints, such as headaches, pain, fatigue, and dizziness, that cannot be explained medically. These symptoms affect 10-30% of children and adolescents and account for 2-4% of all pediatric doctor visits. A new study scheduled for publication in The Journal of Pediatrics finds that infants with regulatory problems (i.e., feeding, sleeping, and tactile reactivity) and/or maternal psychiatric problems may have an increased risk of FSS in later childhood. It is believed that maternal ...

Researchers find risk markers for erectile dysfunction following radiation in prostate cancer

2012-09-27
In the first study of its kind, a research team led by Mount Sinai School of Medicine and Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University discovered 12 genetic markers associated with the development of erectile dysfunction (ED) in prostate cancer patients who were treated with radiation. The findings, to be published online September 27, 2012, in advance of the October 1, 2012 print issue in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology• Biology• Physics, the official scientific journal of the American Society for Radiation Oncology, are an important step towards ...

Research suggests shared genetic link in psychiatric and movement disorders

2012-09-27
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Sept., 26, 2012 – Fewer than 100 people in the world are known to be affected by a movement disorder called rapid-onset dystonia-parkinsonism (RDP), but its symptoms are life-changing. Seemingly normal young people are suddenly and dramatically unable to control movement of their arms or legs and have trouble speaking or swallowing. A normal life is nearly impossible. RDP is caused by a genetic mutation (ATP1A3) that often runs in families. Now Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center researchers believe that same genetic predisposition might also be ...

Optical mammography sheds new light on breast cancer

Optical mammography sheds new light on breast cancer
2012-09-27
MEDFORD/SOMERVILLE, Mass. – New optical imaging technology developed at Tufts University School of Engineering could give doctors new ways to both identify breast cancer and monitor individual patients' response to initial treatment of the disease. A five-year clinical study of the procedure, funded by a $3.5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health, is now underway at Tufts Medical Center in Boston. The non-invasive technology uses near infrared (NIR) light to scan breast tissue, and then applies an algorithm to interpret that information. Differences in ...

Moffitt Cancer Center researchers find possible key to regulation of ovarian cancer stem cells

2012-09-27
Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center have discovered that the micro ribonucleic acid miR-214 plays a critical role in regulating ovarian cancer stem cell properties. This knowledge, said the researchers, could pave the way for a therapeutic target for ovarian cancer. The study appears in a recent issue of the The Journal of Biological Chemistry. According to the study's lead author, Jin Q. Cheng, Ph.D., M.D., senior member of the Molecular Oncology Department and Molecular Oncology and Drug Discovery Program at Moffitt, certain miRNAs can cause therapeutic resistance ...

Glenn Prestwich at University of Utah to Speak at Modern Drug Summit Oct 24-26, 2012 in Philadelphia

2012-09-27
Glenn D. Prestwich, Presidential Professor, Director of Therapeutic Biomaterials Center, and Special Presidential Assistant for Faculty Entrepreneurism of Medicinal Chemistry at the University of Utah Will Give a Plenary Keynote Presentation on "Biomaterials for Regenerative Medicine: From Bench to Business" at the 8th Modern Drug Discovery & Development Summit (October 24-26, 2012 in Philadelphia, PA) Dr. Glenn Prestwich will describe the entrepreneurial ecosystem at the University of Utah as well as describe a case study for commercialization of a university ...

The Red Box of Frozen Yogurt: Industry CEOs Sweating Out the Rise of Robofusion?

2012-09-27
It's the kind of socially hip development that makes CEOs sweat. The kind of thing that one person mentions, then another, then another—and before the world knows it, an entire business model goes the way of the dinosaur while a rockstar replacement arises. Red Box did it in the movie rental business. Now Robofusion is doing it in the yogurt business, albeit coyly. "That's not something we can comment on at this time," said a high-ranking Robofusion employee on the condition of anonymity. "Red Box is an amazing product. We are flattered to be compared ...

Kelsey McBride PR Signs Author Paul Gillebaard

2012-09-27
Kelsey McBride, president of Kelsey McBride PR, officially announced today that Paul Gillebaard, author of Moon Hoax, signed on for her agency's public relations services. Charlie Duke, the 10th man on the moon, recently read Moon Hoax and said "I finally got around to reading Moon Hoax. It was a fantastic read. I could hardly put it down. Some twists and turns in the plot that I didn't expect. Thoroughly enjoyed it." In Moon Hoax, China claims the moon landings never happened and they have proof. Losing worldwide prestige is not an option for the United ...

Cedar Run Horse Park Prepares for Social Event of the Season

2012-09-27
The pace is set for another great adventure at Cedar Run Horse Park. More than 100 riders are expected at the 5th Annual Cedar Run Hunter Pace, the park's season finale scheduled for Saturday, September 29, and there's still time to be part of the action, says co-ordinator Elizabeth McCowan. "We'll be accepting registrations up to and including the day of the event," said McCowan, encouraging riders and spectators alike to come out for the ride. "This is the perfect way to end another spectacular season at the park." What makes the event so special ...

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:

Study unexpectedly finds living in rural, rather than urban environments in first five years of life could be a risk factor for developing type 1 diabetes

Editorial urges deeper focus on heart-lung interactions in pulmonary vascular disease

Five University of Tennessee faculty receive Fulbright Awards

5 advances to protect water sources, availability

OU Scholar awarded Fulbright for Soviet cinema research

Brain might become target of new type 1 diabetes treatments

‘Shore Wars:’ New research aims to resolve coastal conflict between oysters and mangroves, aiding restoration efforts

Why do symptoms linger in some people after an infection? A conversation on post-acute infection syndromes

Study reveals hidden drivers of asthma flare-ups in children

Physicists decode mysterious membrane behavior

New insights about brain receptor may pave way for next-gen mental health drugs

Melanoma ‘sat-nav’ discovery could help curb metastasis

When immune commanders misfire: new insights into rheumatoid arthritis inflammation

SFU researchers develop a new tool that brings blender-like lighting control to any photograph

Pups in tow, Yellowstone-area wolves trek long distances to stay near prey

AI breakthrough unlocks 'new' materials to replace lithium-ion batteries

Making molecules make sense: A regional explanation method reveals structure–property relationships

Partisan hostility, not just policy, drives U.S. protests

The Journal of Nuclear Medicine Ahead-of-Print Tip Sheet: August 1, 2025

Young human blood serum factors show potential to rejuvenate skin through bone marrow

Large language models reshape the future of task planning

Narrower coverage of MS drugs tied to higher relapse risk

Researchers harness AI-powered protein design to enhance T-cell based immunotherapies

Smartphone engagement during school hours among US youths

Online reviews of health care facilities

MS may begin far earlier than previously thought

New AI tool learns to read medical images with far less data

Announcing XPRIZE Healthspan as Tier 5 Sponsor of ARDD 2025

Announcing Immortal Dragons as Tier 4 Sponsor of ARDD 2025

Reporting guideline for chatbot health advice studies

[Press-News.org] Chocolate makes snails smarter