Memory consolidation in both trace and delay fear conditioning is disrupted by intra-amygdala infusion of the protein synthesis inhibitor anisomycin.
Memory for delay fear conditioning requires the synthesis of new mRNA and protein in the basolateral amygdala. It is currently unknown whether similar molecular processes in the amygdala are required for the formation of trace fear memory, in which a stimulus-free interval is inserted between the conditional stimulus (CS) and unconditional stimulus (UCS). Here, we show that infusion of the protein synthesis inhibitor anisomycin into the basolateral amygdala disrupts consolidation of both trace and delay fear conditioning. This is the first evidence that protein synthesis in the amygdala is necessary for the formation of both trace and delay fear memory.
Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53211, USA.
Janine L
JL
Kwapis
Timothy J
TJ
Jarome
Janet C
JC
Schiff
Fred J
FJ
Helmstetter
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation / Q000009:adverse effects; D000679:Amygdala / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D000841:Anisomycin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003214:Conditioning, Classical / Q000187:drug effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004597:Electroshock / Q000009:adverse effects; D005239:Fear / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects*; D011500:Protein Synthesis Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D020318:Rats, Long-Evans; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000187:drug effects; D013997:Time Factors
D011500:Protein Synthesis Inhibitors; D000841:Anisomycin