Long-term potentiation in the amygdala: a cellular mechanism of fear learning and memory.

Full Abstract

Much of the research on long-term potentiation (LTP) is motivated by the question of whether changes in synaptic strength similar to LTP underlie learning and memory. Here we discuss findings from studies on fear conditioning, a form of associative learning whose neural circuitry is relatively well understood, that may be particularly suited for addressing this question. We first review the evidence suggesting that fear conditioning is mediated by changes in synaptic strength at sensory inputs to the lateral nucleus of the amygdala. We then discuss several outstanding questions that will be important for future research on the role of synaptic plasticity in fear learning. The results gained from these studies may shed light not only on fear conditioning, but may also help unravel more general cellular mechanisms of learning and memory.

Learn Faster Today Improve your study skills

Author information

Author/s: Sigurdsson, Torfi (T); Doyère, Valérie (V); Cain, Christopher K (CK); LeDoux, Joseph E (JE);

Affiliation: Center for Neural Science, New York University, 4 Washington Place, Room 809, New York, NY 10003, USA. torfi(-atsign-)cns.nyu.edu

Grants: K05 MH067048 (Agency:NIMH NIH HHS) ; MH077458 (Agency:NIMH NIH HHS) ; P50 MH58911 (Agency:NIMH NIH HHS) ; R01 MH46516 (Agency:NIMH NIH HHS) ; R37 MH38774 (Agency:NIMH NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Review

Journal: Neuropharmacology (Neuropharmacology), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2007-Jan; vol 52 (issue 1) : pp 215-27

Dates: Created 2007/01/08; Completed 2007/03/02; Revised 2007/12/03;

PMID: 16919687, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

External Links for this article (including full text providers, if available):

Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.

This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.

MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Amygdala - cytology; physiology
Animals
Association Learning - physiology
Fear

Fear
Long-Term Potentiation - physiology
Memory - physiology
Synapses - physiology

These are the highest related articles currently in the database:

See 100+ related articles.