Mechanisms Of Memory Reconsolidation Research Articles

The role of DNA methylation in the mechanisms of memory reconsolidation and development of amnesia

Current considerations suggest that the mechanisms of long term memory are based on the changes of the neuronal genetic algorithms. Process of the enzyme DNA methylation have great importance to the differential genes expression, and is likely to be one of the key mechanisms of the consolidation and memory storage. The present study aimed to investigate the DNA methylation processes role in the mechanisms of the conditioned food aversion memory reconsolidation and also in the amnesia development mechanisms, caused by disturbances of the reconsolidation in Helix lucorum. It was found that DNA–methyltransferase inhibitors zebularine and RG108 had no influence on the memory reconsolidation. We investigated the effects of the DNA–methyltransferase inhibitors on different amnesia stage. The amnesia was induced by NMDA glutamate receptors antagonists. At the early stage of amnesia (3rd day after its induction) injections of the DNA–methyltransferase inhibitors in combination with reminder by conditioned food stimuli led to memory recall. Memory was recovered by the DNA–methyltransferase inhibitors injections before the reminder and also 3h, but not 9h after the reminder. In case when enzyme inhibitors or reminders were applied separately, no effect on memory was revealed. At the late stage of amnesia (10th day) the DNA–methyltransferase inhibitors didn’t affects amnesia development. It might be hypothesized that presentation of reminding stimuli result in the reactivation/reconsolidation of molecular processes, involved in amnesia development, one of the key mechanisms of which could be the DNA methylation/demethylation of neural cells.

Differential effects of histamine H3 receptor inverse agonist thioperamide, given alone or in combination with the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antagonist dizocilpine, on reconsolidation and consolidation of a contextual fear memory in mice

Albeit there is no doubt that histamine and its H(3) receptors participate in several aspects of learning and memory, such as memory consolidation, nothing is known about their potential involvement in memory reconsolidation. On the basis of previous reports of pro-cognitive effects of histamine H(3) receptor inverse agonists (which augment histamine release), we investigated to what extent the most representative of them, thioperamide, is able to facilitate reconsolidation of a contextually-conditioned fear memory in C57BL/6J mice. We also examined the effects of thioperamide on the stark disruptive effect that the non-competitive N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist dizocilpine (MK-801) typically exerts on both reconsolidation and consolidation. Post-training systemic injections (i.p.) of thioperamide facilitated consolidation at 10 and 20 mg/kg and reversed amnesia induced by an i.p. injection of 0.12 mg/kg dizocilpine at 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg. Importantly, none of the five thioperamide doses (2.5, 5, 10, 20 and 30 mg/kg) given right after reactivation (reexposure to the context in which training took place 48 h earlier) affected reconsolidation, whereas all similarly given doses of dizocilpine (0.03, 0.06 and 0.12 mg/kg) disrupted it more or less equally. By contrast, thioperamide was able to unambiguously reverse the deficit in reconsolidation induced by 0.12 mg/kg dizocilpine at 10 and 20, but not 5 mg/kg. This is the first demonstration of an involvement of the interactive articulation between histamine and NMDA receptors in the mechanisms of memory reconsolidation, which seems to be indifferent to an increase of brain histamine per se. The results suggest a qualitatively different participation of histaminergic signalling in the mechanisms of reconsolidation and consolidation. The precise circuits within which these interactions take place are yet to be identified.

Mechanisms of memory reconsolidation associated with memory enhancement in passive avoidance task

Mechanisms of memory reconsolidation associated with memory enhancement in passive avoidance task