BDNF is essential to promote persistence of long-term memory storage

PEDRO BEKINSCHTEIN; MARTÍN CAMMAROTA; CYNTHIA KATCHE; LEANDRO N. SLIPCZUK; JANINE I. ROSATTO; ANDREA GOLDIN; IVAN IZQUIERDO; JORGE H. MEDINA

PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Año: 2008 vol. 115 p. 2711 - 2716

0027-8424

Persistence is a characteristic attribute of long-term memories(LTMs). However, little is known about the molecular mechanismsthat mediate this process. We recently showed that persistence ofLTM requires a late protein synthesis- and BDNF-dependent phasein the hippocampus. Here,weshow that intrahippocampal deliveryof BDNF reverses the deficit in memory persistence caused byinhibition of hippocampal protein synthesis. Importantly, wedemonstrate that BDNF induces memory persistence by itself,transforming a nonlasting LTM trace into a persistent one in anERK-dependent manner. Thus, BDNF is not only necessary, butsufficient to induce a late postacquisition phase in the hippocampusessential for persistence of LTM storage.