Postretrieval relearning strengthens hippocampal memories via destabilization and reconsolidation

Tay, K. R., Flavell, C. R., Cassini, L., Wimber, M. and Lee, J. L.C. (2019) Postretrieval relearning strengthens hippocampal memories via destabilization and reconsolidation. Journal of Neuroscience, 39(6), pp. 1109-1118. (doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2618-18.2018) (PMID:30587543) (PMCID:PMC6363934)

Abstract

Memory reconsolidation is hypothesized to be a mechanism by which memories can be updated with new information. Such updating has previously been shown to weaken memory expression or change the nature of the memory. Here we demonstrate that retrieval-induced memory destabilization also allows that memory to be strengthened by additional learning. We show that for rodent contextual fear memories, this retrieval conditioning effect is observed only when conditioning occurs within a specific temporal window opened by retrieval. Moreover, it necessitates hippocampal protein degradation at the proteasome and engages hippocampal Zif268 protein expression, both of which are established mechanisms of memory destabilization-reconsolidation. We also demonstrate a conceptually analogous pattern of results in human visual paired-associate learning. Retrieval-relearning strengthens memory performance, again only when relearning occurs within the temporal window of memory reconsolidation. These findings link retrieval-mediated learning in humans to the reconsolidation literature, and have potential implications both for the understanding of endogenous memory gains and strategies to boost weakly learned memories.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This study was conducted with funding from the UK BBSRC (Grant BB/J014982/1; https://bbsrc.ukri.org).
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Wimber, Professor Maria
• Authors: Tay, K. R., Flavell, C. R., Cassini, L., Wimber, M., and Lee, J. L.C.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Psychology & Neuroscience
• Journal Name: Journal of Neuroscience
• Publisher: Society for Neuroscience
• ISSN: 0270-6474
• ISSN (Online): 1529-2401
• Published Online: 26 December 2018
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2019 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Journal of Neuroscience 39(6): 1109-1118
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy