Preferential incorporation of adult-generated granule cells into spatial memory networks in the dentate gyrus.
Throughout adulthood, new neurons are continuously added to the dentate gyrus, a hippocampal subregion that is important in spatial learning. Whether these adult-generated granule cells become functionally integrated into memory networks is not known. We used immunohistochemical approaches to visualize the recruitment of new neurons into circuits supporting water maze memory in intact mice. We show that as new granule cells mature, they are increasingly likely to be incorporated into circuits supporting spatial memory. By the time the cells are 4 or more weeks of age, they are more likely than existing granule cells to be recruited into circuits supporting spatial memory. This preferential recruitment supports the idea that new neurons make a unique contribution to memory processing in the dentate gyrus.
Kee
Nohjin
N
Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8, Canada.
Teixeira
Cátia M
CM
Wang
Afra H
AH
Frankland
Paul W
PW
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D001973:Bromodeoxyuridine / Q000378:metabolism; D054732:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2; D017871:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases / Q000235:genetics; D002452:Cell Count / Q000379:methods; D018891:Dentate Gyrus / Q000166:cytology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000502:physiology; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D009415:Nerve Net / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D016761:Oncogene Proteins v-fos / Q000378:metabolism; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase / Q000378:metabolism; D013028:Space Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors
D016761:Oncogene Proteins v-fos; D054732:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2; D017871:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase; D001973:Bromodeoxyuridine