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Distinct cerebellar engrams in short-term and long-term motor learning

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 08:24 authored by Wen Wang, Kazuhiko Nakadate, Miwako Masugi-Tokita, Fumihiro Shutoh, Wajeeha AzizWajeeha Aziz, Etsuko Tarusawa, Andrea Lorincz, Elek Molnár, Sebnem Kesaf, Yun-Qing Li, Yugo Fukazawa, Soichi Nagao, Ryuichi Shigemoto
Cerebellar motor learning is suggested to be caused by long-term plasticity of excitatory parallel fiber-Purkinje cell (PF-PC) synapses associated with changes in the number of synaptic AMPA-type glutamate receptors (AMPARs). However, whether the AMPARs decrease or increase in individual PF-PC synapses occurs in physiological motor learning and accounts for memory that lasts over days remains elusive. We combined quantitative SDS-digested freeze-fracture replica labeling for AMPAR and physical dissector electron microscopy with a simple model of cerebellar motor learning, adaptation of horizontal optokinetic response (HOKR) in mouse. After 1-h training of HOKR, short-term adaptation (STA) was accompanied with transient decrease in AMPARs by 28% in target PF-PC synapses. STA was well correlated with AMPAR decrease in individual animals and both STA and AMPAR decrease recovered to basal levels within 24 h. Surprisingly, long-term adaptation (LTA) after five consecutive daily trainings of 1-h HOKR did not alter the number of AMPARs in PF-PC synapses but caused gradual and persistent synapse elimination by 45%, with corresponding PC spine loss by the fifth training day. Furthermore, recovery of LTA after 2 wk was well correlated with increase of PF-PC synapses to the control level. Our findings indicate that the AMPARs decrease in PF-PC synapses and the elimination of these synapses are in vivo engrams in short- and long-term motor learning, respectively, showing a unique type of synaptic plasticity that may contribute to memory consolidation.

History

Publication status

  • Published

Journal

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

ISSN

1091-6490

Publisher

National Academy of Sciences

Issue

1

Volume

111

Article number

E188-93

Department affiliated with

  • BSMS Neuroscience Publications

Research groups affiliated with

  • Sussex Neuroscience Publications

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2017-10-23

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