Characterization of NMDAR-independent learning in the hippocampus.
It is currently thought that memory formation requires the activation of NMDA receptors (NMDARs) in the hippocampus. However, recent studies indicate that these receptors are not necessary for all forms of learning. The current experiments examine this issue using context fear conditioning in mice...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Frontiers Media S.A.
2011-05-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fnbeh.2011.00028/full |
| _version_ | 1811322486254469120 |
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| author | Kaycie Kuss Tayler Elizabeth eLowry Kazumasa eTanaka Brynne eLevy Leon eReijmers Mark eMayford Brian J Wiltgen |
| author_facet | Kaycie Kuss Tayler Elizabeth eLowry Kazumasa eTanaka Brynne eLevy Leon eReijmers Mark eMayford Brian J Wiltgen |
| author_sort | Kaycie Kuss Tayler |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | It is currently thought that memory formation requires the activation of NMDA receptors (NMDARs) in the hippocampus. However, recent studies indicate that these receptors are not necessary for all forms of learning. The current experiments examine this issue using context fear conditioning in mice. First, we show that context fear can be acquired without NMDAR activation in previously trained animals. Mice trained in one environment (context A) are subsequently able to learn about a second environment (context B) in the presence of NMDAR antagonists. Second, we demonstrate that NMDAR-independent learning requires the hippocampus and is dependent on protein synthesis. However, unlike NMDAR-dependent learning, it is not contingent on the expression of activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein (Arc). Lastly, we present data that suggests NMDAR-independent learning is only observed when recently stimulated neurons are re-activated during conditioning. These data suggest that context fear conditioning modifies synaptic plasticity mechanisms in the hippocampus and allows subsequent learning to occur in the absence of NMDAR activation. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T13:37:03Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-7e69718f1eb94ccd84c5cbdb47ad2c33 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1662-5153 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T13:37:03Z |
| publishDate | 2011-05-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience |
| spelling | doaj.art-7e69718f1eb94ccd84c5cbdb47ad2c332022-12-22T02:44:46ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience1662-51532011-05-01510.3389/fnbeh.2011.0002810047Characterization of NMDAR-independent learning in the hippocampus.Kaycie Kuss Tayler0Elizabeth eLowry1Kazumasa eTanaka2Brynne eLevy3Leon eReijmers4Mark eMayford5Brian J Wiltgen6University of VirginiaUniversity of VirginiaUniversity of VirginiaUniversity of VirginiaTufts University School of MedicineScripps Research InstituteUniversity of VirginiaIt is currently thought that memory formation requires the activation of NMDA receptors (NMDARs) in the hippocampus. However, recent studies indicate that these receptors are not necessary for all forms of learning. The current experiments examine this issue using context fear conditioning in mice. First, we show that context fear can be acquired without NMDAR activation in previously trained animals. Mice trained in one environment (context A) are subsequently able to learn about a second environment (context B) in the presence of NMDAR antagonists. Second, we demonstrate that NMDAR-independent learning requires the hippocampus and is dependent on protein synthesis. However, unlike NMDAR-dependent learning, it is not contingent on the expression of activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein (Arc). Lastly, we present data that suggests NMDAR-independent learning is only observed when recently stimulated neurons are re-activated during conditioning. These data suggest that context fear conditioning modifies synaptic plasticity mechanisms in the hippocampus and allows subsequent learning to occur in the absence of NMDAR activation.http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fnbeh.2011.00028/fullFearMemorysynaptic plasticitycontextconditioningmetaplasticity |
| spellingShingle | Kaycie Kuss Tayler Elizabeth eLowry Kazumasa eTanaka Brynne eLevy Leon eReijmers Mark eMayford Brian J Wiltgen Characterization of NMDAR-independent learning in the hippocampus. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience Fear Memory synaptic plasticity context conditioning metaplasticity |
| title | Characterization of NMDAR-independent learning in the hippocampus. |
| title_full | Characterization of NMDAR-independent learning in the hippocampus. |
| title_fullStr | Characterization of NMDAR-independent learning in the hippocampus. |
| title_full_unstemmed | Characterization of NMDAR-independent learning in the hippocampus. |
| title_short | Characterization of NMDAR-independent learning in the hippocampus. |
| title_sort | characterization of nmdar independent learning in the hippocampus |
| topic | Fear Memory synaptic plasticity context conditioning metaplasticity |
| url | http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fnbeh.2011.00028/full |
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