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Arc expression identifies the lateral amygdala fear memory trace.


ABSTRACT: Memories are encoded within sparsely distributed neuronal ensembles. However, the defining cellular properties of neurons within a memory trace remain incompletely understood. Using a fluorescence-based Arc reporter, we were able to visually identify the distinct subset of lateral amygdala (LA) neurons activated during auditory fear conditioning. We found that Arc-expressing neurons have enhanced intrinsic excitability and are preferentially recruited into newly encoded memory traces. Furthermore, synaptic potentiation of thalamic inputs to the LA during fear conditioning is learning-specific, postsynaptically mediated and highly localized to Arc-expressing neurons. Taken together, our findings validate the immediate-early gene Arc as a molecular marker for the LA neuronal ensemble recruited during fear learning. Moreover, these results establish a model of fear memory formation in which intrinsic excitability determines neuronal selection, whereas learning-related encoding is governed by synaptic plasticity.

SUBMITTER: Gouty-Colomer LA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4759206 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Arc expression identifies the lateral amygdala fear memory trace.

Gouty-Colomer L A LA   Hosseini B B   Marcelo I M IM   Schreiber J J   Slump D E DE   Yamaguchi S S   Houweling A R AR   Jaarsma D D   Elgersma Y Y   Kushner S A SA  

Molecular psychiatry 20150324 3


Memories are encoded within sparsely distributed neuronal ensembles. However, the defining cellular properties of neurons within a memory trace remain incompletely understood. Using a fluorescence-based Arc reporter, we were able to visually identify the distinct subset of lateral amygdala (LA) neurons activated during auditory fear conditioning. We found that Arc-expressing neurons have enhanced intrinsic excitability and are preferentially recruited into newly encoded memory traces. Furthermor  ...[more]

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