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In Vivo Two-photon Imaging Of Experience-dependent Molecular Changes In Cortical Neurons
Published on: January 5, 2013
Experience-dependent recruitment of Arc expression in multiple systems during rest
Ali Gheidi1, Elham Satvat, Diano F Marrone
1Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
Journal of Neuroscience Research
|April 27, 2012
Summary
Brain activity replay during rest, marked by immediate-early gene (IEG) expression like Arc, occurs across brain regions. Neurons active during exploration preferentially show IEG expression during rest, aiding memory consolidation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Neural ensemble activity during wakeful behavior is repeated during rest (replay).
- Immediate-early gene (IEG) transcription, such as Arc, accompanies this replay.
- IEGs are hypothesized to play a role in offline memory consolidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if IEG transcription patterns during rest mirror the generality of neural replay.
- To examine the relationship between recent experience, IEG expression, and memory consolidation.
Main Methods:
- Studied Arc gene expression in F344 rats during spatial exploration and subsequent rest.
- Analyzed neuronal activity and IEG transcription patterns in the hippocampus and cortical regions.
Main Results:
- Recent experience increased the probability of constitutive Arc expression during rest in specific neurons.
- Neurons active during exploration were preferentially recruited for Arc expression during rest (memory trace reactivation).
- Arc expression during rest occurred in a smaller fraction of previously active cells, with higher prevalence in CA3 compared to CA1 and cortical layers.
Conclusions:
- IEG transcription patterns during rest are consistent with general biological phenomena of neural replay.
- Memory consolidation appears rapid in the hippocampus (CA3) and more gradual in neocortical networks.
- Preferential recruitment of recently active neurons for IEG expression during rest supports offline memory consolidation.
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