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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 14, 2026

Trace Fear Conditioning in Mice

Trace Fear Conditioning in Mice

Published on: March 20, 2014

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor: linking fear learning to memory consolidation.

Marie-H Monfils¹, Kiriana K Cowansage, Joseph E LeDoux

¹Center for Neural Science, 4 Washington Place, Room 809, New York University, New York, NY 10003-6621, USA. monfils@cns.nyu.edu

Molecular Pharmacology

|May 25, 2007

Summary

Fear learning increases brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the lateral amygdala. This molecular cascade involves calcium influx and specific kinases, enhancing fear memory consolidation.

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Molecular Biology
Neuropharmacology

Background:

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is crucial for synaptic plasticity.
The lateral amygdala (LA) is a key brain region for fear learning and memory.

Purpose of the Study:

To elucidate the molecular mechanisms linking fear learning to BDNF expression in the LA.
To identify the signaling pathways involved in BDNF regulation during fear conditioning.

Main Methods:

The study investigated molecular events in the lateral amygdala during fear conditioning.
Key signaling molecules and receptors were analyzed in relation to BDNF expression.

Main Results:

Fear conditioning significantly increases BDNF expression in the lateral amygdala.
Calcium influx via NMDA receptors and L-type channels activates PKA and CaMKIV.
Activated PKA and CaMKIV phosphorylate CREB, leading to BDNF gene transcription.

Conclusions:

A detailed molecular cascade explains how fear learning upregulates BDNF in the LA.
This BDNF upregulation is essential for the consolidation of fear memories.