Retrieval mediated by hippocampal extracellular signal-regulated kinase/mitogen-activated protein kinase is required for memory strengthening.
Established memories can be strengthened by additional learning and rehearsal. However, the brain processes enabling memories to be updated by further information is unclear. We found that blockade of retrieval of a stabilized memory by inhibition of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase/mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway in the hippocampus prevented memory enhancement induced by an additional learning trial in rats. The findings indicate that retrieval is critical for memory strengthening.
Roesler
R
R
Cellular and Molecular Neuropharmacology Research Group, Department of Pharmacology, Institute for Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Sarmento Leite 500, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. rroesler@terra.com.br
Quevedo
J
J
D000818:Animals; D001362:Avoidance Learning / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D005239:Fear / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000494:pharmacology; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000201:enzymology*; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D005419:Flavonoids; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3; C093973:2-(2-amino-3-methoxyphenyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one