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Recording Synaptic Plasticity in Acute Hippocampal Slices Maintained in a Small-volume Recycling-, Perfusion-, and Submersion-type Chamber System
Published on: January 1, 2018
Selective suppression of hippocampal ripples impairs spatial memory
Gabrielle Girardeau1, Karim Benchenane, Sidney I Wiener
1Laboratoire de Physiologie de la Perception et de l'Action, Collège de France, CNRS, Paris, France.
Nature Neuroscience
|September 15, 2009
Summary
Sharp wave-ripples (SPW-Rs) in the hippocampus are crucial for transferring memories to the neocortex. Eliminating SPW-Rs impaired spatial memory in rats, confirming their vital role in memory consolidation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Memory Research
Background:
- Sharp wave-ripple (SPW-R) complexes are hippocampal-neocortical events.
- SPW-Rs are hypothesized to facilitate memory transfer for long-term storage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of SPW-Rs in memory consolidation.
- To determine if selective elimination of SPW-Rs impacts hippocampus-dependent memory.
Main Methods:
- Rats were trained on a spatial memory task.
- SPW-Rs were selectively eliminated during post-training consolidation periods.
- Performance on the spatial memory task was assessed.
Main Results:
- Selective elimination of SPW-Rs led to significant performance impairment.
- Rats with disrupted SPW-Rs showed deficits in spatial memory recall.
Conclusions:
- Hippocampal SPW-Rs play a critical role in the consolidation of hippocampus-dependent memories.
- Disruption of SPW-Rs hinders the transfer of memories for long-term storage.
