Another step towards identifying the molecular basis for the spacing effect (ie why the retrievability and stability model of Wozniak/Supermemo works [http://www.supermemo.com/english/ol/mem1998.htm])...

http://biowww.net/bioblog/html/13/n-2213.html

SHL scientists identify protein that enhances long-term memory by controlling r

"... Neuroscientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) have now discovered how this so-called "spacing effect" is controlled in the brain at the level of individual molecules.

Led by Professor Yi Zhong, Ph.D., the CSHL team has found that a protein called SHP-2 phosphatase controls the spacing effect by determining how long resting intervals between learning sessions need to last so that long-lasting memories can form...

... 'Although there are many theories that explain the spacing effect at the psychological level and hundreds of studies that back them up, there has not been any understanding of this phenomenon at the neurobiological level,' says Zhong. 'We have shown for the first time that the spacing effect has a genetic and molecular basis'...

... Zhong's team engineered these mutations into a gene in fruit flies called corkscrew that is the functional equivalent of PTP11 in humans. The mutant flies were taught to avoid certain odors via a training regimen of repeated learning sessions broken up by resting intervals lasting 15 minutes. But this training regimen, which induces long-term memory in normal flies, failed to work in the mutants because the increased activity of SHP-2 phosphatase disturbed the spacing effect...

... His team is currently collaborating with clinicians to determine whether this intervention, which worked in flies, will also work in people afflicted with Noonan's."

Still just scratching the surface of the research, and how to apply the spacing effect to learning.

I'd like to read the study, anyone have access to it? ;p

Mario R. Pagani, Kimihiko Oishi, Bruce D. Gelb and Yi Zhong. Spacing Effect: SHP-2 Phosphatase Regulates Resting Intervals Between Learning Trials in Long-Term Memory Induction. Cell, October 2, 2009

Last edited by ruiner (2009 October 22, 1:01 pm)