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Cerebellar function in consolidation of a motor memory
Phillip J E Attwell1, Samuel F Cooke, Christopher H Yeo
1Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom.
Neuron
|June 28, 2002
Summary
Motor memories from classical conditioning are stored in the cerebellum. Post-training inactivation of the cerebellar cortex, but not the cerebellar nuclei, prevented memory consolidation for eyeblink conditioning.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Motor Learning
- Cerebellar Function
Background:
- Motor learning, including classical conditioning, relies on the cerebellum.
- The precise location of motor memory storage within the cerebellum remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of the cerebellar cortex and nuclei in motor memory consolidation.
- To determine where post-training memory consolidation occurs for eyeblink conditioning.
Main Methods:
- Localized infusions of muscimol (a GABA(A) agonist) to reversibly inactivate cerebellar regions post-conditioning.
- Assessing eyeblink conditioning development after targeted cerebellar inactivations.
Main Results:
- Inactivating cerebellar cortical lobule HVI post-training completely blocked eyeblink conditioning.
- Inactivating cerebellar nuclei post-training did not affect conditioning development.
Conclusions:
- The cerebellar cortex plays a critical role in the post-training consolidation of eyeblink memories.
- These findings highlight specific cerebellar regions involved in storing motor memories.