title: Plasticity-related genes in brain development and amygdala-dependent learning.
abstract: Learning about motivationally important stimuli involves plasticity in the amygdala, a temporal lobe structure. Amygdala-dependent learning involves a growing number of plasticity-related signaling pathways also implicated in brain development, suggesting that learning-related signaling in juveniles may simultaneously influence development. Here, we review the pleiotropic functions in nervous system development and amygdala-dependent learning of a signaling pathway that includes brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), extracellular signaling-related kinases (ERKs) and cyclic AMP-response element binding protein (CREB). Using these canonical, plasticity-related genes as an example, we discuss the intersection of learning-related and developmental plasticity in the immature amygdala, when aversive and appetitive learning may influence the developmental trajectory of amygdala function. We propose that learning-dependent activation of BDNF, ERK and CREB signaling in the immature amygdala exaggerates and accelerates neural development, promoting amygdala excitability and environmental sensitivity later in life.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, Neuroscience Institute, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.|Department of Otolaryngology, NYU Langone School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Ehrlich
authors.affiliation: Program in Neurosciences & Mental Health, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada.|Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.|Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.|Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Josselyn
mesh_terms: D000679:Amygdala / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017362:Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D055495:Neurogenesis; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000235:genetics*; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D017362:Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases
keywords: Amygdala; BDNF; CREB; ERK; GABA; critical period; development; excitability; learning and memory; plasticity