Reconsolidation after remembering an odor-reward association requires NMDA receptors.
A rapidly learned odor discrimination task based on spontaneous foraging behavior of the rat was used to evaluate the role of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors (NMDARs) in ongoing memory consolidation. Rats were trained in a single session to discriminate among three odors, one of which was associated with palatable food reward. Previous experiments showed that the NMDAR antagonist DL-APV induced amnesia for this task when injected immediately after training. In the present study, memory was reactivated 24 h after training by exposure to the rewarded odor within the experimental context after which rats received an intracerebroventricular injection of APV. Combined reactivation-drug treatment induced profound amnesia when tested 48 h later. Animals receiving drug alone, in absence of reactivation, showed perfect retention. It is concluded that NMDARs support a consolidation process taking place after memory reactivation.
Torras-Garcia
Meritxell
M
Laboratory of Neuromodulation and Memory, CNRS UMR 7102, Université Pierre & Marie Curie, 75005 Paris, France.
Lelong
Julien
J
Tronel
Sophie
S
Sara
Susan J
SJ
D000818:Animals; D001066:Appetite / Q000502:physiology; D003216:Conditioning, Operant / Q000502:physiology*; D004193:Discrimination Learning / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000502:physiology; D009812:Odorants; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000502:physiology*; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D012201:Reward
D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate