The MAP(K) of fear: from memory consolidation to memory extinction.
The highly conserved mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MAPK/ERK) signaling cascade is involved in several intracellular processes ranging from cell differentiation to proliferation, as well as in synaptic plasticity. In the last two decades, the role of MAPK/ERK in long-term memory formation in mammals, particularly in fear-related memories, has been extensively investigated. In this review we describe knowledge advancement on the role of MAPK/ERK in orchestrating the intracellular processes that lead to the consolidation, reconsolidation and extinction of fear memories. In doing so, we report studies in which the specific role of MAP/ERK in switching from memory formation to memory erasure has been suggested. The possibility to target MAPK/ERK in developing and/or refining pharmacological approaches to treat psychiatric disorders in which fear regulation is defective has also been envisaged.
Institute of Cellular Biology and Neurobiology, National Research Council and Fondazione Santa Lucia, via del Fosso di Fiorano 64, 00143 Rome, Italy; Department of Psychology and "Daniel Bovet" Center, Sapienza University of Rome, via dei Marsi 78, 00185 Rome, Italy. Electronic address: vincenzo.cestari@uniroma1.it.
Vincenzo
V
Cestari
Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, via dei Marsi 78, 00185 Rome, Italy.
Clelia
C
Rossi-Arnaud
Institute of Cellular Biology and Neurobiology, National Research Council and Fondazione Santa Lucia, via del Fosso di Fiorano 64, 00143 Rome, Italy; Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, via dei Marsi 78, 00185 Rome, Italy.
Daniele
D
Saraulli
Institute of Cellular Biology and Neurobiology, National Research Council and Fondazione Santa Lucia, via del Fosso di Fiorano 64, 00143 Rome, Italy; Department of Human Sciences, LUMSA University, p.zza delle Vaschette 101, 00193 Rome, Italy.
Marco
M
Costanzi
D000818:Animals; D005108:Extinction, Psychological / Q000502:physiology*; D005239:Fear; D006801:Humans; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System / Q000502:physiology*; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D020929:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D020929:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases
Consolidation; ERK/MAPK; Extinction; Fear memories; Reconsolidation