Adult-born neurons immature during learning are necessary for remote memory reconsolidation in rats

Nat Commun. 2021 Mar 19;12(1):1778. doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-22069-4.

Abstract

Memory reconsolidation, the process by which memories are again stabilized after being reactivated, has strengthened the idea that memory stabilization is a highly plastic process. To date, the molecular and cellular bases of reconsolidation have been extensively investigated particularly within the hippocampus. However, the role of adult neurogenesis in memory reconsolidation is unclear. Here, we combined functional imaging, retroviral and chemogenetic approaches in rats to tag and manipulate different populations of rat adult-born neurons. We find that both mature and immature adult-born neurons are activated by remote memory retrieval. However, only specific silencing of the adult-born neurons immature during learning impairs remote memory retrieval-induced reconsolidation. Hence, our findings show that adult-born neurons immature during learning are required for the maintenance and update of remote memory reconsolidation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Early Growth Response Protein 1 / genetics
  • Early Growth Response Protein 1 / metabolism
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / genetics
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / metabolism
  • Hippocampus / cytology
  • Hippocampus / physiology
  • Learning / physiology*
  • Male
  • Maze Learning / physiology
  • Memory Consolidation / physiology*
  • Memory, Long-Term / physiology*
  • Microscopy, Confocal
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Neurons / physiology*
  • Protein Biosynthesis / genetics
  • Protein Biosynthesis / physiology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Early Growth Response Protein 1
  • Egr1 protein, rat
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins