Late Protein Synthesis-Dependent Phases in CTA Long-Term Memory: BDNF Requirement

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Molecular Biology
• Memory Research

Background:

• Long-term memory (LTM) persistence may require a late, protein synthesis-dependent phase.
• Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is crucial for synaptic plasticity and LTM.
• Previous studies showed BDNF rescues LTM in the hippocampus when protein synthesis is inhibited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if conditioned taste aversion (CTA) memory storage is protein synthesis-dependent in the insular cortex (IC) at later time points.
• To determine if BDNF delivery to the IC can rescue CTA memory deficits during these late, protein synthesis-dependent phases.

Main Methods:

• Assessed CTA memory sensitivity to protein synthesis inhibition (anisomycin) at 5 and 7 hours post-acquisition.
• Administered BDNF intracortically into the IC during these late phases.
• Evaluated the effect of BDNF on CTA memory deficits caused by protein synthesis inhibition.

Main Results:

• CTA memory storage was found to be protein synthesis-dependent 5 and 7 hours after acquisition.
• Intracortical BDNF administration successfully reversed CTA memory deficits induced by protein synthesis inhibition at both time points.
• BDNF administration mitigated the amnesic effect of anisomycin in the IC.

Conclusions:

• Recurrent consolidation-like events occur in the neocortex for CTA memory maintenance.
• BDNF plays an essential role in these late-phase consolidation processes in the insular cortex.
• These findings highlight BDNF's importance in the enduring storage of specific memory types.