title: Memory Formation in Tritonia via Recruitment of Variably Committed Neurons.
abstract: Prior studies have found that functional networks can rapidly add neurons as they build short-term memories, yet little is known about the principles underlying this process. Using voltage-sensitive dye imaging, we found that short-term sensitization of Tritonia's swim motor program involves rapid expansion of the number of participating neurons. Tracking neurons across trials revealed that this involves the conversion of recently discovered variably participating neurons to reliable status. Further, we identify a candidate serotonergic cellular mechanism mediating this process. Our findings reveal a new mechanism for memory formation, involving recruitment of pre-positioned, variably committed neurons into memory networks. This represents a shift from the field's long-term focus on synaptic plasticity, toward a view that certain neurons have characteristics that predispose them to join networks with learning.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, The Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, 3333 Green Bay Road, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA. Electronic address: evan.hill@rosalindfranklin.edu.
authors.forename: Evan S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, The Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, 3333 Green Bay Road, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA.
authors.forename: Sunil K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Vasireddi
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, The Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, 3333 Green Bay Road, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA.
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, The Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, 3333 Green Bay Road, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA.
authors.forename: Angela M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Bruno
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, The Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, 3333 Green Bay Road, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA.
authors.forename: William N
authors.initials: WN
authors.lastname: Frost
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000502:physiology; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D049871:Tritonia Sea Slug / Q000502:physiology*