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Updated: May 7, 2026

Extinction Training During the Reconsolidation Window Prevents Recovery of Fear
Published on: August 24, 2012
The MAP(K) of fear: from memory consolidation to memory extinction
Vincenzo Cestari1, Clelia Rossi-Arnaud2, Daniele Saraulli3
1Institute of Cellular Biology and Neurobiology, National Research Council and Fondazione Santa Lucia, via del Fosso di Fiorano 64, 00143 Rome, Italy; Department of Psychology and "Daniel Bovet" Center, Sapienza University of Rome, via dei Marsi 78, 00185 Rome, Italy.
Abstract:
The highly conserved mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MAPK/ERK) signaling cascade is involved in several intracellular processes ranging from cell differentiation to proliferation, as well as in synaptic plasticity. In the last two decades, the role of MAPK/ERK in long-term memory formation in mammals, particularly in fear-related memories, has been extensively investigated. In this review we describe knowledge advancement on the role of MAPK/ERK in orchestrating the intracellular processes that lead to the consolidation, reconsolidation and extinction of fear memories. In doing so, we report studies in which the specific role of MAP/ERK in switching from memory formation to memory erasure has been suggested. The possibility to target MAPK/ERK in developing and/or refining pharmacological approaches to treat psychiatric disorders in which fear regulation is defective has also been envisaged.
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