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Chloramphenicol-induced amnesia for passive avoidance training in the day-old chick
1John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 0200, Australia.Fiona.Freeman@anu.edu.au
Neurobiology of Learning and Memory
|January 16, 1999
Summary
Chloramphenicol, an inhibitor of mitochondrial protein synthesis, reveals a sensitive period for memory formation in chicks 5 hours post-training. This finding provides insights into the role of mitochondrial processes in memory consolidation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Animal Behavior
Background:
- Memory retention in day-old chicks is sensitive to protein synthesis inhibitors.
- Anisomycin disrupts memory biphasically: first phase up to 90 min, second phase 4-5 hours post-training.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the role of mitochondrial protein synthesis in memory formation.
- Determine the time course of chloramphenicol sensitivity in passive avoidance learning.
Main Methods:
- Day-old chicks received intracranial injections of chloramphenicol at various times post-training.
- Memory retention was assessed 24 hours after training.
- Mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation was assessed using 2,4-dinitrophenol.
Main Results:
- A chloramphenicol-sensitive period for memory formation was identified at 5 hours post-training, coinciding with the second anisomycin-sensitive phase.
- Inhibition of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation with 2,4-dinitrophenol at 5 hours post-training did not affect memory, suggesting energy compromise is not the mechanism.
Conclusions:
- Mitochondrial protein synthesis plays a role in the later stages of memory consolidation in chicks.
- The findings differentiate the roles of cytosolic and mitochondrial protein synthesis in memory formation.