AP21195

Prompt: Science Summary

A study by Washington University of Medicine found that a group of proteins known as nucleosome remodeling and deacetylase (NuRD) (Washington University School of Medicine) plays an important role in connecting cells through the use of synapses which facilitate neuron communication (Wood, 38), and in the construction of the cerebellum. The cerebellum, located in the hindbrain, helps control movement and motor learning (Wood, 46). The researchers blocked the NuRD proteins to help identify their function in the brain and found that when blocked, granule cells (Washington University School of Medicine) which are found in the cerebellum were prevented from forming connections with other nerve cells. The lack of these connections affects the cerebellum’s control of movement coordination and learning (Washington University School of Medicine). The researchers found that this information would be very helpful in identifying and learning about certain disorders, including autism spectrum disorders. The study also found that NuRD affects proteins that handle DNA. It was found that NuRd controls genes that control the activation of other genes including those that are important to the construction of the cerebellum (Washington University School of Medicine). I think this study would need to be researched further so as to ensure the information is correct and to identify any other possible functions the protein group may have, however I am reminded that lack of evidence doesn’t mean it’s false (Barrett’s Laws) and that this study will be very helpful in other research.

References:

Washington University School of Medicine. "New clues to brain's wiring found by scientists." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 18 July 2014. .

Wood, Samuel E., Ellen Wood, and Denise Boyd. //Mastering the World of Psychology//. 2nd ed. Massachusetts: Pearson Education, 2011. Print.

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