Neuroscience 2002 Abstract
| Presentation Number: | 479.5 |
|---|---|
| Abstract Title: | C-fos expression during recall of an odor-odor association. |
| Authors: |
Ross, R. S.*1
; Petrulis, A.1
; Eichenbaum, H.1
1Psychology, Boston University, Boston, MA |
| Primary Theme and Topics |
Cognition and Behavior - Animal Cognition and Behavior -- Cognitive learning and memory systems |
| Secondary Theme and Topics | Cognition and Behavior<br />- Animal Cognition and Behavior<br />-- Associative, nonassociative and skill learning & memory systems |
| Session: |
479. Animal cognition and behavior: cognitive learning and memory systems--gene expression and IEG mapping Poster |
| Presentation Time: | Tuesday, November 5, 2002 8:00 AM-9:00 AM |
| Location: | Hall A2-B3 Q-18 |
| Keywords: | ORBITOFRONTAL CORTEX, HIPPOCAMPUS, SOCIAL TRANSMISSION, OLFACTION |
The social transmission of food preference task (STFP) is a natural form of memory in which a rat learns what foods to eat by associating the smell of an odorized food with a conspecific’s breath, and consequently prefers that food. Long term retention and consolidation of this type of learning is dependent on the hippocampus. Recently, Countryman et al. (SFN 2001) demonstrated c-fos activation in the hippocampus during the acquisition of the STFP. The present study uses c-fos activation to identify the neural system involved in recall of the trained food following STFP. Initially, all subjects were exposed to demonstrator rats that had eaten thyme scented rat chow. Two days later, the experimental group was tested with a choice between thyme and ginger scented chow, whereas control subjects were tested with basil versus ginger scented chow. Compared to controls, there was significantly greater c-fos activation in the lateral orbitofrontal cortex (OF) in experimental subjects. In addition, there was a trend towards a significant increase in c-fos activation in the posterior piriform. No significant differences were observed in the entorhinal cortex or hippocampal subdivisions. These data suggest that olfactory cortical areas, and in particular the OF, are involved in the retention and recall of socially acquired odor information. Our results also indicate that, within 2 days after learning, the hippocampus is no longer substantially activated during retrieval of this form of memory. This finding, combined with a recent examination of the temporal gradient of retrograde memory loss following hippocampal lesions, suggests that this socially transmitted memory is consolidated in cortical areas within a few days.
Supported by NIMH & NIA
Sample Citation:
[Authors]. [Abstract Title]. Program No. XXX.XX. 2002 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. Orlando, FL: Society for Neuroscience, 2002. Online.
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