BDNF Is Essential to Promote Persistence of Long-Term Memory Storage

Persistence is a characteristic attribute of long-term memories (LTMs). However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms that mediate this process. We recently showed that persistence of LTM requires a late protein synthesis- and BDNF-dependent phase in the hippocampus. Here, we show that int...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences - PNAS 2008-02, Vol.105 (7), p.2711-2716
Main Authors: Bekinschtein, Pedro, Cammarota, Martín, Katche, Cynthia, Slipczuk, Leandro, Rossato, Janine I., Goldin, Andrea, Izquierdo, Ivan, Medina, Jorge H.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal training
Animals
Behavioral neuroscience
Biological Sciences
Brain
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor - pharmacology
Enzyme Activation - drug effects
Hippocampus
Long term potentiation
Male
Memory
Memory - drug effects
Memory disorders
Memory storage
Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 - metabolism
Molecules
Neurons
Protein synthesis
Proteins
Rats
Rats, Wistar
Time Factors
Training
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Summary:Persistence is a characteristic attribute of long-term memories (LTMs). However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms that mediate this process. We recently showed that persistence of LTM requires a late protein synthesis- and BDNF-dependent phase in the hippocampus. Here, we show that intrahippocampal delivery of BDNF reverses the deficit in memory persistence caused by inhibition of hippocampal protein synthesis. Importantly, we demonstrate that BDNF induces memory persistence by itself, transforming a nonlasting LTM trace into a persistent one in an ERK-dependent manner. Thus, BDNF is not only necessary, but sufficient to induce a late postacquisition phase in the hippocampus essential for persistence of LTM storage.
ISSN:0027-8424
1091-6490
DOI:10.1073/pnas.0711863105