Inducible repression of CREB function disrupts amygdala-dependent memory

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Molecular Biology
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• The cAMP/Ca2+ responsive element binding protein (CREB) family of transcription factors is implicated in long-term memory across various species.
• Recent studies suggest performance deficits, not solely memory impairment, may result from CREB manipulation in mammals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elucidate the precise role of CREB in memory formation by employing a task with minimal performance demands.
• To investigate the necessity of CREB-mediated transcription and protein synthesis for conditioned taste aversion memory.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the conditioned taste aversion paradigm in mice, a task minimizing performance load.
• Performed basolateral amygdala lesions and blocked protein synthesis to assess their impact on conditioned taste aversion.
• Disrupted CREB function chronically and acutely in genetically modified mice to evaluate memory retention.

Main Results:

• Lesioning or blocking protein synthesis in the basolateral amygdala significantly disrupted conditioned taste aversion.
• Both chronic and acute disruption of CREB function in mice impaired conditioned taste aversion memory 24 hours post-training.
• These results highlight the critical role of CREB in memory consolidation.

Conclusions:

• CREB-mediated transcription and protein synthesis are indispensable for the formation and retention of conditioned taste aversion memory.
• The findings clarify CREB's role in memory, dissociating it from potential performance artifacts.
• This research underscores the molecular mechanisms underlying associative learning and memory in mammals.