Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Monitoring Fine and Associative Motor Learning in Mice Using the Erasmus Ladder
Published on: December 15, 2023
Impact of Sema3A Interference on Cerebellum-Dependent Motor Associative Learning and Memory
Geoffrey-Alexander Gimenez1,2, Sarah Van Der Zwaag2, Cynthia M Geelen2
1Department of Neuroregeneration, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Meibergdreef 47, 1105 BA Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Semaphorin 3A (Sema3A) in brain perineuronal nets (PNNs) impacts cerebellar memory. Impaired Sema3A signaling in K108N mice enhanced eyeblink conditioning performance, suggesting a role in learning.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Neuroplasticity
Background:
- Semaphorin 3A (Sema3A) is a chemorepulsive protein found in adult brain perineuronal nets (PNNs).
- PNNs regulate neuroplasticity and memory, but the role of Sema3A within them is unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the contribution of PNN-associated Sema3A to cerebellum-dependent learning and memory.
- To understand how Sema3A signaling affects neuroplasticity and memory formation.
Main Methods:
- Eyeblink conditioning (EBC) paradigm in adult mice.
- Molecular interference with Sema3A signaling using neuropilin-1 bodies in the anterior interposed nuclei (AIN).
- Genetic interference using K108N mutant mice with impaired Sema3A signaling.
Main Results:
- Mice with reduced Sema3A signaling (K108N mice) showed enhanced EBC performance.
- Molecular interference led to reduced EBC performance but confounded by increased inflammation.
- No synaptic structural changes were observed in K108N mice after EBC.
Conclusions:
- Constitutively altered Sema3A signaling is linked to improved cerebellar memory.
- Sema3A signaling plays a role in cerebellum-dependent learning and memory processes.
Related Concept Videos
Role of Cerebellum and Prefrontal Cortex in Memory
Major Somatic Sensory Pathways
Higher Mental Functions of Brain: Learning and Memory

