NMDA receptors are critical for unleashing consolidated auditory fear memories

Nat Neurosci. 2006 Oct;9(10):1237-9. doi: 10.1038/nn1778. Epub 2006 Sep 24.

Abstract

Memories are dynamic and can change when recalled. The process that returns memories to a labile state during remembering is unclear. We found that the presence of NMDA, but not AMPA, receptor antagonists in the amygdala prior to recall prevented the consolidated fear memory from returning to a labile state. These findings suggest that NMDA receptors in the amygdala are critical for transforming a memory from a fixed to a labile state.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acoustic Stimulation / methods
  • Amygdala / drug effects
  • Amygdala / physiology
  • Animals
  • Anisomycin / pharmacology
  • Avoidance Learning / drug effects
  • Avoidance Learning / physiology*
  • Behavior, Animal / drug effects
  • Conditioning, Classical / drug effects
  • Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / pharmacology
  • Fear*
  • Male
  • Memory / drug effects
  • Memory / physiology*
  • Protein Synthesis Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / physiology*
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists
  • Protein Synthesis Inhibitors
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate
  • Anisomycin