Alzheimer protein APP regulates learning and social behavior in the healthy brain

The APP protein is known for its role in Alzheimer's disease, but its contribution to healthy brain function remains largely unexplored. Using a mouse model, a research team gained new insights on the physiological functions of the APP protein family. The absence of APP during brain development was shown to result in malformations of brain regions implicated in learning and memory, severely impairing learning in the mice and causing autistic-like behavior.