It Was All A Bad Memory

It appears that there are two ways that memories are recalled. The first is consolidation, the first recollection. The second is reconsolidation, the re-recalling of a memory. There is a controversial theory that this latter recollection is labile and subject to manipulation because that memory is in effect re-written. A new study published in Science Express lends credence to this theory. Here the study shows that there are two pathways for the two kinds of memories. Researcher Jonathan Lee is quoted in the 17 April 2004 print edition of New Scientist stressing that this could be used to possibly treat phobias and PTSD by blocking the reconsolidation pathways.

Independent Cellular Processes for Hippocampal Memory Consolidation and Reconsolidation

Jonathan L. C. Lee 1, Barry J. Everitt 1, Kerrie L. Thomas 2*

1 Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EB, UK.
2 Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EB, UK; Present address: Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3US, UK.

* To whom correspondence should be addressed.
Kerrie L. Thomas , E-mail: thomaskl5@cf.ac.uk

The idea that new memories undergo a time-dependent consolidation process after acquisition has received considerable experimental support. More controversial has been the demonstration that established memories, once recalled, become labile and sensitive to disruption, requiring "reconsolidation" to become permanent. By infusing antisense oligodeoxynucleotides into the hippocampus we show that consolidation and reconsolidation are doubly dissociable component processes of memory. Consolidation involves brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) but not Zif268, whereas reconsolidation recruits Zif268 but not BDNF. These experimental findings confirm a requirement for BDNF specifically in memory consolidation, and also resolves the role of Zif268 in brain plasticity, learning and memory.