Synaptic plasticity-dependent competition rule influences memory formation

Yire Jeong, Hye-Yeon Cho, Mujun Kim, Jung-Pyo Oh, Min Soo Kang, Miran Yoo, Han-Sol Lee and Jin-Hee Han ()
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Yire Jeong: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)
Hye-Yeon Cho: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)
Mujun Kim: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)
Jung-Pyo Oh: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)
Min Soo Kang: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)
Miran Yoo: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)
Han-Sol Lee: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)
Jin-Hee Han: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)

Nature Communications, 2021, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-13

Abstract: Abstract Memory is supported by a specific collection of neurons distributed in broad brain areas, an engram. Despite recent advances in identifying an engram, how the engram is created during memory formation remains elusive. To explore the relation between a specific pattern of input activity and memory allocation, here we target a sparse subset of neurons in the auditory cortex and thalamus. The synaptic inputs from these neurons to the lateral amygdala (LA) are not potentiated by fear conditioning. Using an optogenetic priming stimulus, we manipulate these synapses to be potentiated by the learning. In this condition, fear memory is preferentially encoded in the manipulated cell ensembles. This change, however, is abolished with optical long-term depression (LTD) delivered shortly after training. Conversely, delivering optical long-term potentiation (LTP) alone shortly after fear conditioning is sufficient to induce the preferential memory encoding. These results suggest a synaptic plasticity-dependent competition rule underlying memory formation.

Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24269-4

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