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Activation of phasic pontine‐wave generator in the rat: a mechanism for expression of plasticity‐related genes and proteins in the dorsal hippocampus and amygdala
Author(s) -
Datta Subimal,
Li Guangmu,
Auerbach Sanford
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
european journal of neuroscience
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.346
H-Index - 206
eISSN - 1460-9568
pISSN - 0953-816X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2008.06166.x
Subject(s) - amygdala , neuroscience , hippocampus , mechanism (biology) , dorsum , neuroplasticity , plasticity , synaptic plasticity , hippocampal formation , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , anatomy , materials science , genetics , physics , quantum mechanics , composite material , receptor
A number of behavioral studies have emphasized the importance of interactions between the pontine‐wave (P‐wave) generator and the dorsal hippocampus (DH) in two‐way active avoidance (TWAA) memory processing; however, the direct involvement of the P‐wave generator in the TWAA training trial‐induced molecular events in the DH and amygdala has not been systematically evaluated. Here we demonstrate that the TWAA learning training trials activate P‐wave generator, and increase phosphorylation of CREB (pCREB) and expression of activity‐regulated cytoskeletal‐associated (Arc) protein, as well as messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNAs) of Arc, brain‐derived nerve growth factor (BDNF) and early growth response‐1 (Egr‐1) in the DH and amygdala. Selective elimination of P‐wave‐generating cells abolished P‐wave activity and suppressed TWAA learning training trial‐induced expression of pCREB and Arc proteins and Arc, BDNF and Egr‐1 mRNAs in the DH and amygdala. Following a session of TWAA training, all rats were equal in terms of time spent in wakefulness, slow‐wave sleep and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep irrespective of P‐wave lesions. The second set of experiments demonstrated that localized cholinergic stimulation of the P‐wave generator increased expression of Arc, BDNF and Egr‐1 mRNAs in the DH. Together, these findings provide the first direct evidence that activation of P‐wave‐generating cells is critically involved in the TWAA training trial‐induced expression of plasticity‐related genes in the DH and amygdala. These findings are discussed in relation to the role of P‐wave generator activation for the REM sleep‐dependent development and cognitive functions of the brain.