Abstract
Repeated experiences may be integrated in succession during a learning process, or they may be combined as a whole within dedicated time windows to possibly promote quality control. Here we show that in Pavlovian, incremental and incidental learning, related information acquired within time windows of 5 h is combined to determine what mice learn. Trials required for learning had to occur within 5 h, when learning-related shared cues could produce association and interference. Upon acquisition, cFos expression was elevated during 5 h throughout specific system-wide neuronal assemblies. Time window function depended on network activity and cFos expression. Local cFos activity was required for distant assembly recruitment through network activity and distant BDNF. Activation of learning-related cFos assemblies was sufficient and necessary for time window function. Therefore, learning processes consist of dedicated 5 h time windows (time units for learning), involving maintenance of system-wide neuronal assemblies through network activity and cFos expression.
Highlights
Local pharmacological manipulation of dopamine D1 receptor signaling within about 5 h from acquisition modulates the strength of long-term memories[5], and neuronal assemblies accounting for memories can be combined within a time window of about 5 h from acquisition[6,7]
These findings suggest that training essential for behavioral learning needs to be integrated within time units of 5 h
To investigate cellular and systems mechanisms that might underlie 5 h time units for learning, we focused on the induction of cFos expression in brain regions known to be involved in cFC19 or Morris water maze15 (MWM) learning[20]
Summary
Local pharmacological manipulation of dopamine D1 receptor signaling within about 5 h from acquisition modulates the strength of long-term memories[5], and neuronal assemblies accounting for memories can be combined within a time window of about 5 h from acquisition[6,7]. Local treatment (Supplementary Figure 5) with the cFos inhibitor was sufficient to suppress learning unit function (cFC, freezing to object; MWM, 2 + 2 trials; Fig. 3b). X= 4 h 7 h determine whether network activity[3,10] might have a role in maintaining cFos expression and learning unit function throughout the 5 h time window, we carried out silencing experiments in single brain regions implicated in the studied behavior.
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