Noradrenergic action in prefrontal cortex in the late stage of memory consolidation
Year: 2003
Type: article
Abstract: These experiments investigated the role of the noradrenergic system in the late stage of memory consolidation and in particular its action at receptors in the prelimbic region (PL) of the prefrontal cortex in the hours after training. Rats were trained in a rapidly acquired, appetitively motivated foraging task based on olfactory discrimination. They were injected with a adrenergic receptor antagonist into the PL 5 min or 2 h after training and tested 48 h later. Rats injected at 2 h showed amnesia, whereas those injected at 5 min had good retention, equivalent to saline-injected controls. Monitoring extracellular noradrenaline efflux in PL by in vivo microdialysis during the first hours after training revealed a significant increase shortly after training, with a rapid return to baseline, and then another increase around the 2-h posttraining time window. Pseudo-trained rats showed a smaller early efflux and did not show the second wave of efflux at 2 h. These results confirm earlier pharmacological and immunohistochemical studies suggesting a delayed role of noradrenaline in a late phase of long-term memory consolidation and the engagement of the PL during these consolidation processes.
Authors: Sophie Tronel, Y Moricard, Susan J. Sara
Institution: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
Language: English
Topic: Memory and Neural Mechanisms
Subfield: Cognitive Neuroscience
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W2590406843