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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 3, 2026

Investigation of Synaptic Tagging/Capture and Cross-capture using Acute Hippocampal Slices from Rodents

Investigation of Synaptic Tagging/Capture and Cross-capture using Acute Hippocampal Slices from Rodents

Published on: September 4, 2015

The tagging and capture hypothesis from synapse to memory.

Haydée Viola¹, Fabricio Ballarini², María Cecilia Martínez²

¹Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencias "Prof. E. De Robertis", Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas de Argentina, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Departamento de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Progress in Molecular Biology and Translational Science

|February 4, 2014

Summary

The synaptic tagging and capture theory explains how weak neural events create lasting memories. This process involves a "tag" capturing plasticity-related proteins from stronger events, regardless of timing.

Keywords:

Behavioral tagging hypothesis Long-term memory formation Rodents and human beings Synaptic and capture hypothesis Synaptic plasticity and memory

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Published on: September 4, 2015

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Cognitive Science

Background:

The synaptic tagging and capture (STC) theory explains synaptic plasticity.
The behavioral tagging (BT) hypothesis extends STC to learning and memory.

Purpose of the Study:

To summarize the postulates of the STC hypothesis.
To explore commonalities between synaptic plasticity and memory.
To compile evidence supporting the BT process.

Main Methods:

Review of the STC theory postulates.
Analysis of similarities between synaptic plasticity and memory formation.
Compilation of experimental findings supporting the BT hypothesis.

Main Results:

The STC and BT hypotheses provide a framework for understanding how transient neural changes lead to persistent plasticity and memory.
Tagging and capture processes are symmetrical, allowing plasticity-related proteins synthesized before or after tagging to be captured.
The interaction between events can modulate memory formation.

Conclusions:

The STC and BT hypotheses offer a robust explanation for long-term memory formation.
Further research is needed to fully elucidate BT mechanisms and their role in long-term memory.