To learn better, keep the HAT on.

Long-lasting memories are known to require new transcription. Recent studies have highlighted a role for epigenetic alterations, including histone acetylation, in regulating gene expression. In this issue of Neuron, Alarcón et al. and Korzus et al. use two different mouse models of Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome to elucidate a role for the histone acetyltransferase activity of CREB binding protein (CBP) in long-term memory and plasticity. Copyright 2004 Cell Press