Appetitive memory reconsolidation depends upon NMDA receptor-mediated neurotransmission.

Full Abstract

Memory persistence is a dynamic process involving the reconsolidation of memories after their reactivation. Reconsolidation impairments have been demonstrated for many types of memories in rats, and signaling at N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors appears often to be a critical pharmacological mechanism. Here we investigated the reconsolidation of appetitive pavlovian memories reinforced by natural rewards. In male Lister Hooded rats, systemic administration of the NMDA receptor antagonist (+)-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-SH-dibenzo{a,d}cyclohepten-5,10-imine maleate (MK-801, 0.1mg/kg i.p.) either before or immediately following a brief memory reactivation session abolished the subsequent acquisition of a new instrumental response with sucrose conditioned reinforcement. However, only when injected prior to memory reactivation was MK-801 effective in disrupting the maintenance of a previously-acquired instrumental response with conditioned reinforcement. These results demonstrate that NMDA receptor-mediated signaling is required for appetitive pavlovian memory reconsolidation.

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Author information

Author/s: Lee, Jonathan L C (JL); Everitt, Barry J (BJ);

Affiliation: Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EB, UK. jlcl2@cam.ac.uk

Grants: 9536855 (Agency:United Kingdom Medical Research Council)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Neurobiology of learning and memory (Neurobiol Learn Mem), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-Jul; vol 90 (issue 1) : pp 147-54

Dates: Created 2008/06/10; Completed 2008/09/03;

PMID: 18372198, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

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

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Animals
Appetitive Behavior - drug effects; physiology
Conditioning, Classical - drug effects; physiology
Dizocilpine Maleate - pharmacology
Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists - pharmacology
Male
Memory - drug effects; physiology

Memory - drug effects; physiology
Rats
Rats, Inbred Strains
Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate - physiology
Sucrose
Synaptic Transmission - drug effects; physiology
Taste

Associated Chemicals: Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists (0) ; Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate (0) ; Sucrose (57-50-1) ; Dizocilpine Maleate (77086-22-7)

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