By using in vitro and in vivo models of amyloid synaptotoxicity we concluded that downregulation of STIM2-dependent stability of mushroom spines is a mechanism of synaptic loss in AD model of amyloid synaptotoxicity and that modulators/activators of this pathway may have a potential therapeutic value for treatment of memory loss in AD. The gene discussed is STIM2; the disease is Alzheimer disease.