Spatial learning depends on both the addition and removal of new hippocampal neurons.
The role of adult hippocampal neurogenesis in spatial learning remains a matter of debate. Here, we show that spatial learning modifies neurogenesis by inducing a cascade of events that resembles the selective stabilization process characterizing development. Learning promotes survival of relatively mature neurons, apoptosis of more immature cells, and finally, proliferation of neural precursors. These are three interrelated events mediating learning. Thus, blocking apoptosis impairs memory and inhibits learning-induced cell survival and cell proliferation. In conclusion, during learning, similar to the selective stabilization process, neuronal networks are sculpted by a tightly regulated selection and suppression of different populations of newly born neurons.
Dupret
David
D
INSERM U862, Bordeaux Neuroscience Research Center, Bordeaux, France.
Fabre
Annabelle
A
Döbrössy
Màtè Dàniel
MD
Panatier
Aude
A
Rodríguez
José Julio
JJ
Lamarque
Stéphanie
S
Lemaire
Valerie
V
Oliet
Stephane H R
SH
Piazza
Pier-Vincenzo
PV
Abrous
Djoher Nora
DN
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology*; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002470:Cell Survival; D018891:Dentate Gyrus / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D004594:Electrophysiology; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013037:Spatial Behavior / Q000502:physiology*