Cerebellar function in consolidation of a motor memory.
Several forms of motor learning, including classical conditioning of the eyeblink and nictitating membrane response (NMR), are dependent upon the cerebellum, but it is not known how motor memories are stored within the cerebellar circuitry. Localized infusions of the GABA(A) agonist muscimol were used to target putative consolidation processes by producing reversible inactivations after NMR conditioning sessions. Posttraining inactivations of eyeblink control regions in cerebellar cortical lobule HVI completely prevented conditioning from developing over four sessions. In contrast, similar inactivations of eyeblink control regions in the cerebellar nuclei allowed conditioning to develop normally. These findings provide evidence that there are critical posttraining memory consolidation processes for eyeblink conditioning mediated by the cerebellar cortex.
Attwell
Phillip J E
PJ
Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom.
Cooke
Samuel F
SF
Yeo
Christopher H
CH
D000818:Animals; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D003213:Conditioning, Psychological / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D018755:GABA Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D009118:Muscimol / Q000494:pharmacology; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009541:Nictitating Membrane / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D011817:Rabbits
D018755:GABA Agonists; D009118:Muscimol