title: Calcium dynamics encode the magnitude of a graded memory underlying sensorimotor adaptation.
abstract: The role of Ca(2+) in the induction of neural correlates of memory has frequently been described in binary terms despite the fact that many forms of memory are graded in their strength and/or persistence. We find that Ca(2+) dynamics encode the magnitude of sensorimotor adaptation of the electromotor output in a weakly electric fish. The neural correlate of this memory is a synaptically induced Ca(2+)-dependent enhancement of intrinsic excitability of neurons responsible for setting the electromotor output. Changes in Ca(2+) during induction accurately predict the magnitude of this graded memory over a wide range of stimuli. Thus despite operating over a range from seconds to tens of minutes, the encoding of graded memory can be mediated by a relatively simple cellular mechanism.
authors.affiliation: Center for Learning and Memory, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712-0805, USA. nikolai@mail.clm.utexas.edu
authors.forename: Nikolai C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Dembrow
authors.forename: Diana L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Pettit
authors.forename: Harold H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Zakon
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D004557:Electric Organ / Q000502:physiology; D023702:Gymnotiformes; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D042541:Intracellular Space / Q000378:metabolism; D008526:Medulla Oblongata / Q000502:physiology*; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000378:metabolism; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D002118:Calcium