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A single time-window for protein synthesis-dependent long-term memory formation after one-trial appetitive
Daniel Fulton1, Ildiko Kemenes, Richard J Andrew
1Sussex Centre for Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton, East Sussex BN1 9QG, UK.
The European Journal of Neuroscience
|April 9, 2005
Summary
Long-term memory (LTM) formation in Lymnaea snails requires protein synthesis within one hour after training. This study found a single sensitive period, challenging previous two-period models for memory consolidation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Animal Behavior
Background:
- Protein synthesis is crucial for long-term memory (LTM) formation.
- Two distinct periods of sensitivity to protein synthesis blockade have been previously reported.
- Relating the timing of protein synthesis dependence to electrophysiological memory traces is key.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the precise timing of protein synthesis dependence in long-term memory (LTM) formation.
- To correlate behavioral LTM consolidation with electrophysiological memory traces in Lymnaea.
- To determine if a single or multiple periods of protein synthesis sensitivity exist.
Main Methods:
- Utilized one-trial appetitive conditioning in Lymnaea snails with a chemical conditioned stimulus.
- Administered anisomycin (translation inhibitor) and Actinomycin D (transcription inhibitor) at various time points post-training.
- Monitored behavioral recall and electrophysiological correlates of LTM in isolated snail preparations.
Main Results:
- Inhibition of protein synthesis 10 minutes after training blocked behavioral LTM formation.
- Inhibition of transcription 10 minutes after training also impaired LTM.
- No effect on recall was observed when anisomycin was administered 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 hours post-training.
- An electrophysiological correlate of LTM was sensitive to anisomycin administered 10 minutes post-training.
Conclusions:
- Lymnaea LTM formation exhibits a single period of sensitivity to protein synthesis inhibition, lasting from 10 minutes to 1 hour post-training.
- This suggests a rapid consolidation process for LTM in this model system.
- The findings challenge the notion of multiple, distinct windows for protein synthesis involvement in memory consolidation.