Time-window of NMDA receptor-dependent LTP during memory formation, consolidation and recall

2018 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16H02455
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (A)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Neurophysiology / General neuroscience
• Research Institution: Kyoto University (2017-2018); Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (2016)
• Principal Investigator: Hayashi Yasunori 京都大学, 医学研究科, 教授 (90466037)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2019-03-31
• Keywords: シナプス可塑性 / 記憶・学習 / コフィリン / スパイン / 記憶固定化

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In order to study when and where synaptic plasticity occurs during memory consolidation, we established a system that allows erasure of NMDA-receptor mediated synaptic memory. For this purpose, we established a method to optically inactivate cofilin, a protein that accumulates at the synapse after the induction of synaptic plasticity and stabilizes actin cytoskeleton. By using this method, we can optically erase synaptic potentiation within 30 min after induction. When we tested when synaptic plasticity occurs in an intact animal, we found that it occurs while an animal is at asleep. This indicates that reactivation of hippocampal neurons during sleep induces synaptic plasticity, which is required for memory consolidation.

Free Research Field

神経科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本技術を用いれば、記憶固定化の過程に重要なLTPを解除することが可能であり、記憶学習の固定化のメカニズムを解明するための画期的なツールとなると期待される。またそればかりではなく、記憶が異常に亢進している疾患、例えば外傷後ストレス症候群(PTSD)や薬物依存症の治療にも有用ではないかと考えられる。