Nader et al. (2000)

Fear memories require protein synthesis in the amygdala for reconsolidation after retrieval

Nature, 406(6797), 722-726

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DOI

Abstract

‘New’ memories are initially labile and sensitive to disruption before being consolidated into stable long-term memories1,2,3,4,5. Much evidence indicates that this consolidation involves the synthesis of new proteins in neurons6,7,8,9. The lateral and basal nuclei of the amygdala (LBA) are believed to be a site of memory storage in fear learning10. Infusion of the protein synthesis inhibitor anisomycin into the LBA shortly after training prevents consolidation of fear memories11. Here we show that consolidated fear memories, when reactivated during retrieval, return to a labile state in which infusion of anisomycin shortly after memory reactivation produces amnesia on later tests, regardless of whether reactivation was performed 1 or 14 days after conditioning. The same treatment with anisomycin, in the absence of memory reactivation, left memory intact. Consistent with a time-limited role for protein synthesis production in consolidation, delay of the infusion until six hours after memory reactivation produced no amnesia. Our data show that consolidated fear memories, when reactivated, return to a labile state that requires de novo protein synthesis for reconsolidation. These findings are not predicted by traditional theories of memory consolidation.

Reference

Nader, K., Schafe, G. E., & LeDoux, J. E. (2000). Fear memories require protein synthesis in the amygdala for reconsolidation after retrieval. Nature, 406(6797), 722–726. https://doi.org/10.1038/35021052

What Rests on This

2 mechanisms cite this source. Each finding below is quoted as it appears on that mechanism's own page.

Consolidation Memory Processes

Definition

Consolidation is distinguished from reconsolidation: a memory that is already stable can become labile again when it is retrieved and must be re-stabilized, which classic consolidation theory did not predict

Reconsolidation Memory Processes

Definition

What separates it from ordinary consolidation is that the memory is already stable: disruption works only when the memory has just been retrieved, and the same treatment without reactivation leaves the memory intact
Neural substrate

In rats, infusing the protein synthesis inhibitor anisomycin into the lateral and basal amygdala right after a fear memory was reactivated caused later amnesia, whether reactivation came 1 or 14 days after training; infusion without reactivation, or 6 hours after it, left the memory intact