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

Karim Nader, Glenn E. Schafe, Joseph E. Le Doux

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

'New' memories are initially labile and sensitive to disruption before being consolidated into stable long-term memories. Much evidence indicates that this consolidation involves the synthesis of new proteins in neurons. The lateral and basal nuclei of the amygdala (LBA) are believed to be a site of memory storage in fear learning. Infusion of the protein synthesis inhibitor anisomycin into the LBA shortly after training prevents consolidation of fear memories. 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.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)722-726
Number of pages5
JournalNature
Volume406
Issue number6797
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 17 2000

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Fear memories require protein synthesis in the amygdala for reconsolidation after retrieval'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this