BDNF is essential to promote persistence of long-term memory storage.
Persistence is a characteristic attribute of long-term memories (LTMs). However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms that mediate this process. We recently showed that persistence of LTM requires a late protein synthesis- and BDNF-dependent phase in the hippocampus. Here, we show that intrahippocampal delivery of BDNF reverses the deficit in memory persistence caused by inhibition of hippocampal protein synthesis. Importantly, we demonstrate that BDNF induces memory persistence by itself, transforming a nonlasting LTM trace into a persistent one in an ERK-dependent manner. Thus, BDNF is not only necessary, but sufficient to induce a late postacquisition phase in the hippocampus essential for persistence of LTM storage.
Bekinschtein
Pedro
P
Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencias and Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Cammarota
Martín
M
Katche
Cynthia
C
Slipczuk
Leandro
L
Rossato
Janine I
JI
Goldin
Andrea
A
Izquierdo
Ivan
I
Medina
Jorge H
JH
D000818:Animals; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects*; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013997:Time Factors
D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1