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Rac1 Constrains Memory Consolidation

Gabriel Fernandes Borges1, Beatriz do Nascimento Pinheiro Moura1, Thays Alves Monteiro1

  • 1Edmond and Lily Safra International Institute of Neuroscience, Santos Dumont Institute, Macaiba, RN 59280-000, Brazil.

Eneuro
|March 24, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Inhibition of Rac1 (Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1) after learning enhances long-term memory consolidation in rats. This suggests Rac1 acts as a brake on memory stabilization, offering potential therapeutic benefits for cognitive function.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cognitive Science

Background:

  • Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (Rac1) is a small GTPase involved in actin dynamics and synaptic plasticity.
  • Rac1's role in memory consolidation, distinct from its known involvement in active forgetting, remains largely unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate whether Rac1 activity constrains the consolidation of new memories.
  • To determine if inhibiting Rac1 after learning can enhance memory persistence.

Main Methods:

  • Systemic administration of the Rac1 inhibitor 1A-116 post-training in rats using the novel object recognition task.
  • Assessment of memory persistence, locomotor activity, and anxiety-related behaviors.
  • Evaluation of long-term memory formation from sub-threshold training, including hippocampal protein synthesis requirements.

Main Results:

  • Post-training Rac1 inhibition with 1A-116 significantly extended recognition memory persistence for at least 28 days.
  • 1A-116 enabled long-term memory formation from weak training, dependent on hippocampal protein synthesis.
  • Inhibition did not affect locomotor or anxiety behaviors, indicating specificity.

Conclusions:

  • Rac1 acts as a negative regulator of memory consolidation, functioning as a molecular brake on memory stabilization.
  • Inhibiting Rac1 after learning can enhance cognitive durability and promote long-term memory formation.
  • Targeting Rac1 may offer a therapeutic strategy to improve memory persistence in various conditions.
Keywords:
1A-116hippocampusmemory persistenceobject recognition memoryshort-term memory

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