The goal of this research project is to determine the involvement of the basolateral amygdala (BLA) in modulating the strength of physiological memory in the cerebral cortex, as indexed by learning-induced receptive field (RF) plasticity in the primary auditory cortex (ACx). The proposed experiments will investigate the role of the BLA in the induction and consolidation of RF plasticity. Moreover, the research will examine the involvement of the cholinergic nucleus basalis (NB) in mediating the BLA effects on cortical plasticity. It is well established that learning produces highly systematic changes in acoustic frequency receptive fields in the primary auditory cortex. Tuning is altered to increase response to and representation of behaviorally important stimuli (e.g., CS in classical conditioning) while reducing responses to other frequencies. RF plasticity has major characteristics of memory: it is associative, highly specific, rapidly induced, long-lasting (months) and exhibits consolidation, that is, increases in strength over hours and days. A central issue addressed by the proposed studies is whether the BLA modulates learning-induced cortical RF plasticity. There is extensive evidence that the BLA modulates the consolidation of memory for various kinds of training and that the modulation involves BLA influences on other brain regions including the caudate nucleus, hippocampus and entorhinal cortex. In view of the extensive evidence that the BLA modulates memory processes in other brain regions, including cortical regions, the proposed experiments will examine the role of the BLA in modulating the induction and consolidation of RF plasticity in the auditory cortex and determine whether the modulatory influences are mediated by activation of the NB. The findings will provide significant new information concerning the pathways and systems mediating the regulating influence of the BLA on memory consolidation and, thus, increase understanding of brain systems modulating the formation of memory for significant experiences.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01DC005592-04
Application #
6903452
Study Section
Integrative, Functional and Cognitive Neuroscience 8 (IFCN)
Program Officer
Luethke, Lynn E
Project Start
2002-09-01
Project End
2007-07-31
Budget Start
2005-08-01
Budget End
2006-07-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2005
Total Cost
$339,594
Indirect Cost
Name
University of California Irvine
Department
Biology
Type
Organized Research Units
DUNS #
046705849
City
Irvine
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
92697
Chavez, Candice M; McGaugh, James L; Weinberger, Norman M (2013) Activation of the basolateral amygdala induces long-term enhancement of specific memory representations in the cerebral cortex. Neurobiol Learn Mem 101:8-18
Weinberger, Norman M (2011) The medial geniculate, not the amygdala, as the root of auditory fear conditioning. Hear Res 274:61-74
Chavez, Candice M; McGaugh, James L; Weinberger, Norman M (2009) The basolateral amygdala modulates specific sensory memory representations in the cerebral cortex. Neurobiol Learn Mem 91:382-92
Berlau, Kasia M; Weinberger, Norman M (2008) Learning strategy determines auditory cortical plasticity. Neurobiol Learn Mem 89:153-66
Weinberger, Norman M (2007) Auditory associative memory and representational plasticity in the primary auditory cortex. Hear Res 229:54-68
Weinberger, Norman M (2007) Associative representational plasticity in the auditory cortex: a synthesis of two disciplines. Learn Mem 14:1-16
Weinberger, Norman M; Miasnikov, Alexandre A; Chen, Jemmy C (2006) The level of cholinergic nucleus basalis activation controls the specificity of auditory associative memory. Neurobiol Learn Mem 86:270-85
Liang, Kevin; Poytress, Bonnie Sue; Chen, Yiling et al. (2006) Neonatal nicotine exposure impairs nicotinic enhancement of central auditory processing and auditory learning in adult rats. Eur J Neurosci 24:857-66
Miasnikov, Alexandre A; Chen, Jemmy C; Weinberger, Norman M (2006) Rapid induction of specific associative behavioral memory by stimulation of the nucleus basalis in the rat. Neurobiol Learn Mem 86:47-65
Roozendaal, Benno; Hui, Gabriel K; Hui, Isabel R et al. (2006) Basolateral amygdala noradrenergic activity mediates corticosterone-induced enhancement of auditory fear conditioning. Neurobiol Learn Mem 86:249-55

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