the transcription factor Forkhead box protein G1 (FOXG1) (Shibata et al., 2008, 2011). Other miRNAs shown to regulate neuronal lineage commitment include members of the let-7 family and miR-125b (Leucht et al., 2008; Rybak et al., 2008). More recently, hippocampus-expressed miRNAs such as miR-134 and miR-34 have been shown to target the deacetylase sirtuin-1 (SIRT1) and thereby influence learning and memory processes (Gao et al., 2010; Zovoilis et al., 2011). In addition to their role in neuronal development and function, miRNAs may also play key role in neuronal dysfunction associated neurodegenerative diseases. For example, miR-34c has been implicated in the cognitive impairment associated with dementia. As discussed below, miRNAs have also been implicated in drug addiction, considered by many to be an aberrant form of learning and memory.
