title: Reactivation enables memory updating, precision-keeping and strengthening: exploring the possible biological roles of reconsolidation.
abstract: Although much has been learned regarding the molecular and cellular mechanisms of memory reconsolidation, its actual biological function remains unclear. In this work we investigate the possibility that three different mnemonic processes - updating, precision-keeping and trace strengthening - are mediated by reconsolidation in contextual fear conditioning. Reconsolidation involves the activation of calcium channels for the destabilization during the reactivation. Our results show that when memory is reactivated in a situation that does not match the original information, content is modified, i.e., "updated". However, when the contextual condition matches the original one, memory reactivation contributes either to its strengthening or to the maintenance of its precision content over time. Since the L-type voltage-gated calcium channel antagonist nimodipine blocked these effects, we suggest that reconsolidation is the mechanism supporting these processes.
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Psicobiologia e Neurocomputação, Departamento de Biofísica, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Bento Gonçalves, 9500, Prédio 43422, Room 208, CEP 91.501-970, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. lucas_alvares@yahoo.com
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: De Oliveira Alvares
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Crestani
authors.forename: L F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Cassini
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Haubrich
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Santana
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Quillfeldt
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology; D003213:Conditioning, Psychological / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005239:Fear / Q000187:drug effects / Q000523:psychology; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D011939:Mental Recall / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D008874:Midazolam / Q000494:pharmacology; D009553:Nimodipine / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D009553:Nimodipine; D008874:Midazolam