Neurogenesis-mediated forgetting minimizes proactive interference

Jonathan R. Epp, Rudy Silva Mera, Stefan Köhler, Sheena A. Josselyn and Paul W. Frankland ()
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Jonathan R. Epp: Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children
Rudy Silva Mera: Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children
Stefan Köhler: Brain and Mind Institute, University of Western Ontario
Sheena A. Josselyn: Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children
Paul W. Frankland: Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children

Nature Communications, 2016, vol. 7, issue 1, 1-8

Abstract: Abstract Established memories may interfere with the encoding of new memories, particularly when existing and new memories overlap in content. By manipulating levels of hippocampal neurogenesis, here we show that neurogenesis regulates this form of proactive interference. Increasing hippocampal neurogenesis weakens existing memories and, in doing so, facilitates the encoding of new, conflicting (but not non-conflicting) information in mice. Conversely, decreasing neurogenesis stabilizes existing memories, and impedes the encoding of new, conflicting information. These results suggest that reduced proactive interference is an adaptive benefit of neurogenesis-induced forgetting.

Date: 2016
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:nat:natcom:v:7:y:2016:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms10838

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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms10838

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