Reconsolidation after remembering an odor-reward association requires NMDA receptors
Abstract
A rapidly learned odor discrimination task based on spontaneous foraging behavior of the rat was used to evaluate the role of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors (NMDARs) in ongoing memory consolidation. Rats were trained in a single session to discriminate among three odors, one of which was associated with palatable food reward. Previous experiments showed that the NMDAR antagonist DL-APV induced amnesia for this task when injected immediately after training. In the present study, memory was reactivated 24 h after training by exposure to the rewarded odor within the experimental context after which rats received an intracerebroventricular injection of APV. Combined reactivation-drug treatment induced profound amnesia when tested 48 h later. Animals receiving drug alone, in absence of reactivation, showed perfect retention. It is concluded that NMDARs support a consolidation process taking place after memory reactivation.
Footnotes
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Article published online ahead of print. Article and publication date are at http://www.learnmem.org/cgi/doi/10.1101/lm.80905.
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- Accepted October 12, 2004.
- Received April 30, 2004.
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press