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Trace Fear Conditioning in Mice
Published on: March 20, 2014
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Aging-independent decrease of complex multi-spine boutons in hippocampal area CA1 after contextual fear conditioning
Raquel Martinez-Serra1, Suji Lee1, Igor Kraev2
1Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.
Molecular Brain
|December 2, 2025
Summary
Multi-innervated dendritic spines (MISs) aid memory in aged mice. Unexpectedly, multi-spine bouton (MSB) complexity decreases after fear conditioning in both young and aged mice, suggesting a role in memory recall.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Synaptic Plasticity
- Memory Research
Background:
- Long-lasting synaptic changes are crucial for memory storage and recall.
- Previous research identified multi-innervated dendritic spines (MISs) in aged mice post-memory formation.
- The role of multi-spine boutons (MSBs) in memory recall remained unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the changes in multi-spine bouton (MSB) complexity after contextual fear conditioning (CFC).
- To determine if aging impacts MSB complexity changes following CFC.
- To explore the potential role of MSB complexity in memory recall.
Main Methods:
- Re-analysis of existing three-dimensional electron microscopy images.
- Ultrastructural analysis of hippocampal CA1 stratum radiatum 24 hours after CFC.
- Comparison of MSB complexity in young and aged mice.
Main Results:
- MSB complexity unexpectedly decreased in the CA1 stratum radiatum 24 hours after CFC.
- This decrease in MSB complexity was observed in both young and aged mice.
- Aging did not influence the observed change in MSB complexity.
Conclusions:
- A decrease in MSB complexity, not an increase, occurs after CFC.
- This synaptic change is independent of age.
- Reduced MSB complexity may be essential for specific memory recall after fear conditioning.
