title: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor facilitates memory consolidation and reconsolidation of a weak training stimulus in the day-old chick.
abstract: Recent research has pointed to a role for brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in long-term potentiation and memory. The present series of experiments examined the effects of the application of exogenous BDNF on memory consolidation and reconsolidation of a weak training stimulus with the day-old chick, using the passive avoidance learning paradigm. Chicks injected intracranially with 12.5 μg/mL recombinant BDNF immediately after a single-trial training event displayed enhanced retention relative to saline up to 24h post-training. Furthermore, this dose was also shown to enhance retention when administered following initial weak training. Thus, exogenous BDNF was shown to enhance both consolidation and reconsolidation of memory when administered acutely to the day-old chick.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychological Science, Faculty of Science, Technology and Engineering, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria 3086, Australia. jrsamartgis@students.latrobe.edu.au
authors.forename: Jodi R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Samartgis
authors.forename: Leslie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Schachte
authors.forename: Agnes
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hazi
authors.forename: Simon F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Crowe
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001362:Avoidance Learning / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002645:Chickens; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology
chemical_list: D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor