Role of amygdala oscillations in the consolidation of emotional memories.
Much evidence indicates that emotional arousal generally improves memory and that the amygdala is responsible for this effect. The available data suggest that stress hormones and neuromodulators released in emotionally arousing conditions alter the activity of basolateral amygdala (BLA) neurons in the hours after the learning episode. In turn, these changes would facilitate synaptic plasticity elsewhere in the brain; however, the biological mechanisms underlying the facilitation of memory consolidation by the BLA remain unknown. This article focuses on data suggesting that synchronized oscillatory BLA activity promotes synaptic plasticity by facilitating interactions between neocortical and temporal lobe areas involved in declarative memory.
Pelletier
Joe Guillaume
JG
Center for Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Rutgers State University, Newark, New Jersey 07102, USA.
Paré
Denis
D
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000502:physiology; D000679:Amygdala / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D001143:Arousal / Q000502:physiology; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology*; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000502:physiology
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents