Neuroscience 2003 Abstract
| Presentation Number: | 199.4 |
|---|---|
| Abstract Title: | Protein synthesis in the medial prefrontal cortex is required for consolidation of extinction memory. |
| Authors: |
Santini, E.*1
; Burgos-Robles, A.1
; Quirk, G. J.1
1Dept. Physiol, Ponce Sch. Med, Ponce, Puerto Rico |
| Primary Theme and Topics |
Cognition and Behavior - Animal Cognition and Behavior -- Emotional learning & memory systems and modulation of memory |
| Session: |
199. Fear Conditioning I Poster |
| Presentation Time: | Sunday, November 9, 2003 11:00 AM-12:00 PM |
| Location: | Morial Convention Center - Hall F-I, Board # BB6 |
| Keywords: | anisomycin, long-term memory, fear conditioning, amygdala |
Extinction of conditioned fear is thought to form a new memory. Last year, we showed that infusions of the protein synthesis inhibitor anisomycin into the lateral ventricle blocked long- but not short-term memory for extinction of auditory fear conditioning (SFN abstract, 2002), suggesting that protein synthesis is necessary for consolidation of extinction memory. Behavioral and electrophysiological data have shown that the ventro-medial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) is not required for short-term memory of extinction but is necessary for the recall of extinction 24-hrs later (Milad & Quirk, 2002). In the present experiment, we tested if anisomycin injections in the vmPFC would have the same effect as intraventricular injections. On day 1, rats implanted with cannulas in the vmPFC were given 7 tone-shock conditioning trials. On day 2, they received micro-infusions of either ACSF vehicle or anisomycin (100 ug/0.75 ul) followed by 15 extinction tones. On day 3, additional extinction trials were given to test for recall of extinction memory. Freezing immediately after infusions was similar in the two groups (aniso-treated: 62%; ACSF: 67%), suggesting no effect of anisomycin on expression of freezing. At the end of the extinction session, both groups showed similar levels of freezing (aniso-treated: 5%; ACSF: 8%). 24-hrs later, however, aniso-treated rats recovered all of their acquired freezing, while ACSF-treated rats remained low (aniso-treated: 75%; ACSF: 32%, t=4.3, df=22, p < 0.001). Furthermore, aniso-treated rats showed no savings in their rate of re-extinction, suggesting amnesia for extinction. These findings support lesion and unit recording data suggesting that consolidation of extinction memory takes place in the vmPFC.
Supported by F31-MH066575, R01-MH58883 and S06-GM08239
Sample Citation:
[Authors]. [Abstract Title]. Program No. XXX.XX. 2003 Neuroscience Meeting Planner. New Orleans, LA: Society for Neuroscience, 2003. Online.
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