Protein Synthesis Inhibitors Impair Memory by Disrupting Release of Neurotransmitters Important for Memory Modulation
Canal, Clinton Ernest
This item is only available for download by members of the University of Illinois community. Students, faculty, and staff at the U of I may log in with your NetID and password to view the item. If you are trying to access an Illinois-restricted dissertation or thesis, you can request a copy through your library's Inter-Library Loan office or purchase a copy directly from ProQuest.
Permalink
https://hdl.handle.net/2142/82510
Description
Title
Protein Synthesis Inhibitors Impair Memory by Disrupting Release of Neurotransmitters Important for Memory Modulation
Author(s)
Canal, Clinton Ernest
Issue Date
2006
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Gold, Paul E.
Department of Study
Neuroscience
Discipline
Neuroscience
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
Biology, Neuroscience
Language
eng
Abstract
"The theory that de novo protein synthesis is necessary for memory consolidation is widely accepted, yet supported by evidence based primarily on results using protein synthesis inhibitors. Injection of a protein synthesis inhibitor near the time of training often spares memory of the training experience for a short time yet impairs memory tested at long intervals after training. These results imply that ""short-term memory"" is protein synthesis independent, yet establishment of a ""long-term memory"" trace or memory consolidation processes require protein synthesis. However, there are conflicting data showing that protein synthesis inhibitors can in some cases impair memory tested at both short and long intervals after training. Moreover, a number of studies show that several different pharmacological agents can attenuate the memory impairments caused by protein synthesis inhibitors without affecting the level of protein synthesis inhibition. These results suggest that protein synthesis inhibitors may affect memory processing through mechanisms other than protein synthesis inhibition. We hypothesized that protein synthesis inhibitors impair memory by altering release of the biogenic amines, neurotransmitters important for modulating the strength of memory. We tested this hypothesis using two protein synthesis inhibitors, anisomycin, a non-selective protein synthesis inhibitor, and CREB antisense, which impairs CREB-mediated gene transcription. At doses commonly used in the literature, both drugs reliably impaired memory when infused into the hippocampus and amygdala, yet in a task-dependent manner. Also, as assessed via microdialysis, both drugs impaired the release of norepinephrine, and anisomycin drastically disrupted the release of all the biogenic amines. Furthermore, attempts to pharmacologically block the effects on neurotransmitter release caused by the protein synthesis inhibitors attenuated the memory impairments. Collectively, the data provide strong support for the idea that protein synthesis inhibitors impair memory by disrupting neurotransmitter release important for memory modulation processes. The findings are interpreted to suggest that memory modulation theory better accounts for the effects on memory from administration of protein synthesis inhibitors than memory consolidation theory."
Use this login method if you
don't
have an
@illinois.edu
email address.
(Oops, I do have one)
IDEALS migrated to a new platform on June 23, 2022. If you created
your account prior to this date, you will have to reset your password
using the forgot-password link below.
