AVERSIVE EXPERIENCES ARE ASSOCIATED WITH A RAPID AND TRANSIENT ACTIVATION OF ERKS IN THE RAT HIPPOCAMPUS.

ALONSO M; VIOLA H; IZQUIERDO I; MEDINA JH

NEUROBIOLOGY OF LEARNING AND MEMORY

Año: 2002 vol. 77 p. 119 - 124

1074-7427

The extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) family of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) has been shown to participate in memory formation. We recently found that a hippocampal ERK/MAPK cascade is required for memory formation of an inhibitory avoidance training in rats. Here we reported that this learning task is accompanied by a rapid increase in the phosphorylation of hippocampal p44 MAPK. A single mild foot shock produced a similar effect and three consecutive foot shocks provoked the activation of both p44 and p42 MAPKs. In contrast, a brief exposure to the training box or the habituation to an open field did not alter hippocampal ERK/MAPK levels. Together, these findings indicate that aversive behavioral experiences induced a rapid and transient activation of ERK/MAPKs in the hippocampus.