Articolo in rivista, 2014, ENG, 10.1016/j.nlm.2014.08.001

Synaptic plasticity under learning challenge

Middei S.; Ammassari-Teule M.; Marie H.

National Research Council, Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy; Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire (IPMC), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université de Nice Sophia Antipolis, UMR 7275, 06560 Valbonne, France

Memory formation requires changes in neuronal networks connectivity based on modifications in strength and number of synapses. The mechanisms driving these changes have been intensively studied, but mostly under naive conditions, i.e. in animals that have not been cognitively challenged. Better characterization of synaptic requirements supporting memory formation can emerge from studies focusing on synaptic changes in memory-encoding structures while or after the animal model is cognitively challenged. Here, with this concept in mind, we review the literature describing structural, functional and molecular alterations developing in the hippocampus when animals are asked to form memories. We also briefly discuss the interest of this approach for disclosing pathological mechanisms in memory disorders, which might otherwise not be observed in naive conditions. © 2014.

Neurobiology of learning and memory (Online)

Keywords

Cognitive challenge, Hippocampus, Learning and memory, Spines, Synaptic plasticity

CNR authors

Teule Anne Marie, Middei Silvia

CNR institutes

IBCN – Istituto di Biologia Cellulare e Neurobiologia, IBBC – Istituto di Biochimica e Biologia Cellulare