Source Paper
Activation of ERK/MAP Kinase in the Amygdala Is Required for Memory Consolidation of Pavlovian Fear Conditioning
Glenn E. Schafe, Coleen M. Atkins, Michael W. Swank, Elizabeth P. Bauer, J. David Sweatt et al.
Journal of Neuroscience • 2000
Drug Infusion Study
Objective: To evaluate the role of ERK/MAPK signaling cascade in the amygdala during Pavlovian fear conditioning and determine if ERK/MAPK activation is necessary for memory consolidation of fear conditioning
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Equipment3
Materials1
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Protocol Steps
Pavlovian fear conditioning
Subjects receive paired presentations of tone and foot shock
Note: Conditioning involves paired tone-shock presentations rather than nonassociative auditory stimulation or unpaired presentations
View evidence from paper
“paired presentations of tone and shock rather than to nonassociative auditory stimulation, foot shock sensitization, or unpaired tone-shock presentations”
Tissue collection for phosphorylation analysis
Amygdala tissue collected at specific time points after conditioning to assess ERK/MAPK phosphorylation
Note: ERK/MAPK is transiently activated at 60 minutes but not at other time points
View evidence from paper
“ERK/MAPK is transiently activated–phosphorylated in the amygdala, specifically the lateral nucleus (LA), at 60 min, but not 15, 30, or 180 min, after conditioning”
U0126 infusion into lateral amygdala
Dose-dependent infusions of U0126 ERK/MAPK inhibitor delivered to the lateral amygdala
Note: Infusions are aimed at the lateral amygdala nucleus
View evidence from paper
“infusions of U0126, an inhibitor of ERK/MAPK activation, aimed at the LA, dose-dependently impair long-term memory”
Memory testing
Assessment of long-term and short-term memory of Pavlovian fear conditioning following U0126 infusion
Note: U0126 impairs long-term memory but leaves short-term memory intact
View evidence from paper
“infusions of U0126, an inhibitor of ERK/MAPK activation, aimed at the LA, dose-dependently impair long-term memory of Pavlovian fear conditioning but leaves short-term memory intact”
In vitro long-term potentiation recording
Bath application of U0126 to lateral amygdala slices with measurement of long-term potentiation
Note: U0126 impairs long-term potentiation in vitro
View evidence from paper
“bath application of U0126 impairs long-term potentiation in the LA in vitro”