Source Paper
Estradiol-Induced Enhancement of Object Memory Consolidation Involves Hippocampal Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase Activation and Membrane-Bound Estrogen Receptors
Stephanie M. Fernandez, Michael C. Lewis, Angela S. Pechenino, Lauren L. Harburger, Patrick T. Orr et al.
Journal of Neuroscience • 2008
Object Recognition Task
Objective: To assess memory retention in mice following object recognition training and determine if estradiol administration enhances memory consolidation via ERK activation and membrane-bound estrogen receptors
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Protocol Steps
Object Recognition Training
Mice are trained to recognize objects in the object recognition task apparatus
Note: Training occurs before estradiol administration
View evidence from paper
“immediately after training in an object recognition task significantly enhances memory retention”
Estradiol Administration - Intraperitoneal Injection
Intraperitoneal injection of 17β-estradiol administered immediately after training
Note: Dose: 0.2 mg/kg
View evidence from paper
“E2 administered intraperitoneally (0.2 mg/kg) immediately after training in an object recognition task”
Estradiol Administration - Intrahippocampal Infusion
Direct intrahippocampal infusion of 17β-estradiol administered immediately after training
Note: Dose: 5.0 μg/side
View evidence from paper
“via intrahippocampal infusion (5.0 μg/side) immediately after training in an object recognition task”
Dorsal Hippocampal ERK Activation Assessment
Measurement of phosphorylated ERK protein levels in dorsal hippocampus following estradiol injection
Note: Assesses whether intraperitoneal E2 increases ERK phosphorylation
View evidence from paper
“intraperitoneal injection of 0.2 mg/kg E2 significantly increases dorsal hippocampal levels of phosphorylated ERK protein 1 h after injection”
Memory Retention Testing
Assessment of object memory retention following estradiol administration
Note: Tests whether E2 enhances memory consolidation
View evidence from paper
“E2 administered intraperitoneally (0.2 mg/kg) or via intrahippocampal infusion (5.0 μg/side) immediately after training significantly enhances memory retention”
ERK Inhibition Study
Dorsal hippocampal inhibition of ERK activation to determine if beneficial effects of intraperitoneal E2 are blocked
Note: Tests whether ERK activation is necessary for E2-induced memory enhancement
View evidence from paper
“the beneficial effect of intraperitoneal E2 is blocked by dorsal hippocampal inhibition of ERK activation”
Membrane-Bound Estrogen Receptor Activation Study
Administration of BSA-E2 to demonstrate that E2 binding at membrane-bound ERs increases ERK activation and enhances object memory
Note: Demonstrates ERK-dependent memory enhancement via membrane-bound receptors independent of nuclear ERs
View evidence from paper
“using bovine serum albumin-conjugated 17β-estradiol (BSA-E2), we demonstrate that E2 binding at membrane-bound ERs can increase dorsal hippocampal ERK activation and enhance object memory consolidation in an ERK-dependent manner”