Differential involvement of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in reconsolidation and consolidation of conditioned taste aversion memory

PLoS One. 2012;7(11):e49942. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0049942. Epub 2012 Nov 21.

Abstract

Consolidated memory can re-enter states of transient instability following reactivation, which is referred to as reconsolidation, and the exact molecular mechanisms underlying this process remain unexplored. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a critical role in synaptic plasticity and memory processes. We have recently observed that BDNF signaling in the central nuclei of the amygdala (CeA) and insular cortex (IC) was involved in the consolidation of conditioned taste aversion (CTA) memory. However, whether BDNF in the CeA or IC is required for memory reconsolidation is still unclear. In the present study, using a CTA memory paradigm, we observed increased BDNF expression in the IC but not in the CeA during CTA reconsolidation. We further determined that BDNF synthesis and signaling in the IC but not in the CeA was required for memory reconsolidation. The differential, spatial-specific roles of BDNF in memory consolidation and reconsolidation suggest that dissociative molecular mechanisms underlie reconsolidation and consolidation, which might provide novel targets for manipulating newly encoded and reactivated memories without causing universal amnesia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor* / metabolism
  • Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor* / physiology
  • Cerebral Cortex* / metabolism
  • Cerebral Cortex* / physiology
  • Conditioning, Classical / physiology
  • Memory / physiology*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Synapses / metabolism
  • Synapses / physiology
  • Taste / physiology*

Substances

  • Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor

Grants and funding

This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 31130026, 31070991), the National 973 Basic Research Program of China (No. 2012CB911000), the State Program of the National Natural Science Foundation of China for Innovative Research Group (No. 81021001), the Foundation for Excellent Young Scientists of Shandong Province (No. BS2009SW028, BS2011SW021) and the Independent Innovation Foundation of Shandong University (IIFSDU). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.