The consolidation of inhibitory avoidance memory in mice depends on the intensity of the aversive stimulus: The involvement of the amygdala, dorsal hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex

Author(s)

Canto-de-Souza, L. ^{[1, 2, 3]} ; Mattioli, R. ^{[1, 2]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Ctr Ciencias Biol & Saude, Dept Fisioterapia, Lab Neurociencias, Rod Washington Luis, Km 235, BR-13565905 Sao Carlos - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Psicol, Fac Filosofia Ciencias & Letras Ribeirao Preto, Programa Posgrad Psicobiol, Ave Bandeirantes 3900, BR-14040901 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

^[3] Inst Neurociencias & Comportamento, INeC, Ave Bandeirantes 3900, BR-14040901 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: NEUROBIOLOGY OF LEARNING AND MEMORY; v. 130, p. 44-51, APR 2016.
• Web of Science Citations: 2

Abstract

Several studies using inhibitory avoidance models have demonstrated the importance of limbic structures, such as the amygdala, dorsal hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex, in the consolidation of emotional memory. However, we aimed to investigate the role of the amygdala (AMG), dorsal hippocampus (DH) and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of mice in the consolidation of step-down inhibitory avoidance and whether this avoidance would be conditioned relative to the intensity of the aversive stimulus. To test this, we bilaterally infused anisomycin (ANI-40 mu g/mu l, a protein synthesis inhibitor) into one of these three brain areas in mice. These mice were then exposed to one of two different intensities (moderate: 0.5 mA or intense: 1.5 mA) in a step-down inhibitory avoidance task. We found that consolidation of both of the aversive experiences was mPFC dependent, while the AMG and DH were only required for the consolidation of the intense experience. We suggest that in moderately aversive situations, which do not represent a severe physical risk to the individual, the consolidation of aversive experiences does not depend on protein synthesis in the AMG or the DH, but only the mPFC. However, for intense aversive stimuli all three of these limbic structures are essential for the consolidation of the experience. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/19472-4 - Involvement of histaminergic system in limbic structures on the memory of inhibitory avoidance in mice
• Grantee: Lucas Canto de Souza
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate